Luis Castillo will lead off today, followed by Alex Cora, David Wright, Gary Sheffield in right field, Fernando Yatis at first base, Ryan Church in center field, Nick Evans in left field, and Omir Santos.

Oliver Perez will make the start against the Dodgers at Citi Field on Wednesday, replacing Tim Redding in the starting rotation.

Redding will be moved to the bullpen.

Clare Lafferty at Mets Fans Forever wonders if Jerry Manuel has lost control of his team, even though she thinks he has done a good job.

Meanwhile, Metstradamus tried to let out a ray of sunshine, but last night’s loss makes him believe that the Mets won’t win another game until the All-Star Break.

Gene Anthony at Kiner’s Korner thinks the red hats that teams are wearing this weekend are “stupid”.

…agreed Gene - i am all for patriotism, but frankly it looks like every Met was traded to the Phillies…

Finally, for more on last night’s game, check out Flushing Faithful, Mets Today, and Mets Merized Online.

Prior to yesterday’s game, Fernando Martinez was seen in the clubhouse limping, and he told the Daily News that he has been bothered by pain in a ligament behind his right knee.

Martinez ended the game last night with a pinch hit groundout.

…is anyone surprised…

Meanwhile, John Maine has been cleared to lightly throw a baseball every other day, but he has not been able to even exercise his sore shoulder since being shutdown last week.

Finally, Angel Pagan, who has been sidelined by a strained groin, should be ready to begin rehab games on Monday.

Prior to last night’s game, Omar Minaya told reporters that making a major trade is unlikely, a big factor being that there are too many teams still in contention for a playoff spot and there are few teams willing to deal their players, adding:

“Some of our DL guys are probably going to be the reinforcements. But it’s also fair to say that we’re going to try to go out there and look around and see if we can do something that can fit. If we can get all our guys back healthy, our healthy guys, it’s going to be hard to make trades that are going to be better than Jose Reyes, Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado.”

…i definitely agree that on paper, it is tough to top the production of these three players, but considering that Reyes’ biggest asset are his legs and there is a significant injury there, i wonder if the Mets are putting too much faith in what he will bring upon his return…the same can be said about Delgado; assuming he does return, can he be expected to perform at a high level…

…on the other hand, while the need is there right now for more offense and it is clear that this current group cannot depend on a consistent attack, even if they could bring in a big bat i still think that trading their top prospects for one will not take them to the playoffs, even though it might help the team score more runs…i believe that if any deal is to be made it should be for a starting pitcher because in the end, a team’s fate is always determined by their ability to hold down the opposing offense…

Oliver Perez allowed three runs in five plus innings in a rehab start for triple-A Buffalo tonight.

Perez is expected to start against the Dodgers on Wednesday.

“I’ve got to take in what took place, see about his velocity and all,” Jerry Manuel said.

The Mets lost to the Phillies tonight, by the score of 7 to 2.

For a full recap and box score, click here.

The Least You Should Know:

Livan Hernandez came back down to earth tonight, allowing all seven runs to score before the fourth inning.  He just didn’t seem to be all that confident, and was serving up batting practice for the Phillies who had ten hits off him in three innings.

Making his return from surgery, Rodrigo Lopez kept the Mets’ bats at bay, allowing two runs on six hits through six plus frames.

If there is a positive to be had, the bullpen, led by Pat Misch and his three scoreless innings, only allowed one more hit after Livan was taken out.

David Wright was hitless and struck out twice, while Ryan Church continued his tear by going 3-for-4.

Other Observations and Notes:

The Pirates beat the Marlins, so the Mets are now tied for third in the NL Least.

I really disliked how the Mets had to wear red hats tonight in Philly. I know it was for Independence Day, but could they not have been blue or white?

Fernando Nieve tries to bounce back tomorrow against Jamie Moyer at 4:05 p.m. Have a great holiday everyone, and Let’s Go Mets!

The Mets (39-39) open a three game series tonight against the Phillies (39-37) at Citizens Bank Park tonight.

Alex Cora will lead off tonight followed by Daniel Murphy, David Wright, Gary Sheffield in right field, Ryan Church in center field, Fernando Tatis at second base, Nick Evans in left field, and Brian Schneider.

Livan Hernandez (5-3, 4.04 ERA) will start tonight for the Mets. Hernandez is coming off another fine outing against the Yankees despite losing his second consecutive outing, and he has gone atleast seven innings in six of his last eight starts. Lifetime he is 10-8 with a 3.36 ERA in 24 career starts against the Phillies.

Rodrigo Lopez (0-0, 0.00 ERA) will start tonight for the Phillies. Lopez is making his first Major League appearance since 2007 when he was with the Rockies. Lopez is 65-65 with a 4.80 ERA lifetime with the Padres, Orioles and the Rockies and he is making his first career start against the Mets tonight.

Tonight the Mets will play the Phillies in Philadelphia, their third consecutive game in as many days in a different road city.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, this is only the second time in franchise history that this has happened to the Mets, the last time from July 23-25, 1995 when they were in Colorado, Chicago, and St. Louis.

It is common knowledge that the Mets rank at the bottom of the National League with 50 home runs.

…however, these numbers threw me for a loop…

The Mets have the fewest strikeouts and the highest team batting average in the NL at .273.

They also lead the league with 79 stolen bases, have the second most hits, and are tied for the lead in on-base percentage with the Dodgers at .349.

…looking at this from afar, you would say there is no way this ballclub could be just a .500 team, but they are, which at this point has remarkably been good enough to compete in their division…

…this has to be attributed to the men they leave on base day in and day out…

Steve Popper of the Bergen Record is reporting that team doctors have yet to determine when Carlos Beltran will begin working out again.

In addition, Popper reports that John Maine is still resting and has yet to resume throwing and Jose Reyes has not begun to run while he rehabs in Port St. Lucie.