Mets' next series vs. Braves, Phillies could reveal telling truth

Through the first six weeks of the season, the Mets have lost five straight, won six straight, taken road series from the Dodgers and Braves and got swept by the Rays. There are plenty of unknowns around a team that appropriately is 18-18, having shown flashes of potential and flashes that this season should be viewed as a rebuilding year. If the Mets are going to show in the early going whether they are a true contender or whether they are heading toward becoming sellers at the deadline, the next seven games might prove to be a litmus test. 3 Carlos Mendoza and the Mets are set to begin series against the Braves and Phillies. AP Six or seven wins against the Braves and Phillies would send a