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Did anyone really think Scott Schoeneweis would pitch a scoreless inning with the game on the line in Philly? Of course not. I'm sure that's why he was the last man standing in the Met bullpen tonight -- Jerry didn't want to have to hand Scotty the ball.

But Schoeneweis wasn't the only one to blow d**k this evening, Luis Ayala, Pedro Feliciano, and Duaner Sanchez all struggled as well. I'm gonna cut right to the chase...this is the only way the Mets can have a decent bullpen in Billy Wagner's absence:

Closer: RHP, Brian Stokes

I'm well aware that Mr. Stokes is a journeyman and a former Tampa Bay Devil Ray reject; but there's no question that he has the best stuff in the Mets' pen right now. Stokes is throwing consistently 93-to-97 mph, and he's been spotting his fastball rather well. He threw two consecutive scoreless innings against a tough lineup in a little league park tonight.

Stokes' breaking ball, a pitch that is somewhere between a diving curve and hard slider, is also a plus pitch. When he gets on top of it it can be devastating on right-handed batters. Look, I know Stokes is unproven, but considering the embarrassing nature of the Mets bullpen it's time to hand the ball to a guy who can blow some people away. Aaron Heilman's stuff is almost as good, but Stokes has better command.

Primary Setup Man/8th Inning Guy: RHP, Aaron Heilman 

It's time to stop messing around with Heilman. Is the guy a choker? Sometimes, absolutely. But there's just no way to deny that he has the best or second best stuff in the Mets' bullpen. 93-to-96 mph fastball, inconsistently filthy slider and sometimes devasting change-up.

Heilman has obviously struggled with his control at times, but Jerry Manuel needs to stop throwing guys with mediocre stuff out there in big spots -- that means Luis Ayala and Duaner Sanchez. Ayala has done fairly well, but remember the guy has an ERA resting comfortably above 5. He's no closer, not even of the makeshift variety.

7th Inning Guys: LHP, Pedro Feliciano and RHP, Joe Smith

Both of these pitchers have struggled in the second half, but when used correctly, they are generally effective. By "used correctly," I mean Feliciano should only face lefties and Smith should only face righties. If the R-L-R situation presents itself, then Manuel should use Eddie Kunz to get the second righty. If the L-R-L scenario arises, then it's Feliciano-Smith-Schoeneweis.

Clearly that'll lead to lengthy 7th innings time wise...but it's time to start doing whatever it takes to close these games out.

6th Inning Guys: RHP, Eddie Kunz and RHP, Luis Ayala

Of course for Kunz to be the 6th inning guy, he needs to be called up. That will happen when the 40-man rosters come around, but he should be up now anyway. THERE IS NO WAY DUANER SANCHEZ SHOULD BE ON A MAJOR LEAGUE ROSTER WHILE EDDIE KUNZ SITS IN THE MINORS.

SANCHEZ IS FINISHED!!!

His fastball is down to 84-to-88, and he's consistently at 86. His slider doesn't slide and his change-up sucks. GET HIM OUTTA HERE!

Sure Kunz is inexperienced, but at least he can chuck the baseball. The kid should be tough on right-handed hitters with his hard sinker running in on their hands.

Ayala can stick around too because at least his sinker has a little life left on it.

Mop-Up Man/Occasional Lefty Specialist: LHP, Scott Schoeneweis

To be honest, like Duaner Sanchez, Scott Schoeneweis shouldn't really be on a major league roster. But he's lefty, and that's how he survives. Scotty throws 88-89 mph and basically lays over his "fastball" every pitch. He really does suck. But if the Mets feel the necessity to carry a second lefty, I understand.

So basically, release Sanchez, promote Kunz, move Stokes to closer, keep Heilman in the eighth and mix and match Smith and Feliciano in the seventh. GET THIS RIGHT JERRY MANUEL!!!

But as we all well know, with the Mets...

It never goes right.