I prefer to think of where I am with it as neither optimism or pessimism, but REALISM. I'm not overly concerned, but be realisitic..... there are issues one way or other with the pitching staff, Lee shows no signs of coming out of it, Fukudome is no prize, Ramirez is hot and cold, who knows with Edmonds, Johnson has cooled off, etc. The good thing is that we do know the potential is there, and if they can find their way back, no problem. But to rely on the fact that they have the best record, etc., is old news... that was then, this is now. It means they have the proven potential to be that, but that's not where they are now. Haven't we all heard Santo's story about the epic collapse and the Mets rise? I think they're going to be fine, but I'm also not going to bury the realistic side of things.