2 Mets changes we'd like to see against the Braves, 1 we want but won't get

The great lyricist Steve Harwell of Smash Mouth fame put it best: “We could all use a little change.” This inclusive use of the word “all” certainly applies to the New York Mets.

Now 3-6, they’ve been victorious in 3 of their last 4 with the lone loss being a game they should’ve won. The starting pitching staff has been excellent. Only the back of the bullpen has been roughed up on the regular.

A real test comes in the next four days against the biggest foe of all. These two changes can help the team immensely. This other desired switch the ball club needs, unfortunately, won’t be taking place.

1) At least six innings from the Mets starting pitchers to save the bullpen

The Mets starting pitchers aren’t lasting long on the mound which is an all too common problem in Major League Baseball. With the recent rash of major injuries to some star pitchers, we shouldn’t expect any drastic difference, especially not this early in the season and with the personnel they have.

Is a six inning outing too much to ask for? If Jose Butto can do it, these veterans should be able to, too.

This change is one to demand, not expect, and hopefully meet somewhere in the middle at. It’ll be Julio Teheran with the first opportunity. Coming off a game where several of the better arms in the bullpen were used, each out he secures for the Mets will be welcomed.

Starting off the series with a strong and lengthy outing by Teheran can set the Mets up well for the remainder of the week. A little help from the offense to make it an outing where they don’t need a save in the end will be even more delightful. Thus far, Sean Manaea is the only Mets pitcher to get through 6 innings. He's one guy who won't pitch in this series.

3) J.D. Martinez in the starting lineup

Help is on the way: eventually. It’ll come in the form of designated hitter J.D. Martinez. A needed change for the Mets they can accomplish without any voodoo, the arrival of the late-offseason free agent addition will bolster the middle of the lineup in ways this team desperately needs. Although Brett Baty has stepped up huge in his role as a middle of the order bat, the Mets are undoubtedly much more attractive from one through nine with Martinez’s bat in the middle.

The Mets’ DH plan has been to rotate through guys with DJ Stewart getting a good majority of those at-bats. His early failings have fans desperate for the season debut of Martinez which we learned on Sunday won’t come in Atlanta.

We’ve seen a variety of Mets starting lineups to begin the season with some huge shifts in only one week. Martinez makes the most sense behind Pete Alonso as the number four hitter. Would this mean the team continues to bat Nimmo and Lindor one and two? We’ll have at least four games to wait and find out. They’ve finally shown some life in their bats.

With such little production out of just about everyone on the roster who swings a bat for a living, there isn’t much of a clear unanimous answer as to what the team can do other than to continue hoping for the best. There isn’t a minor leaguer the Mets could call upon for help. Some dominant pitching or a sudden turnaround at the plate for several Mets hitters is the best we can hope for.