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.

2) An early attack by the Mets hitters and one that doesn’t let up

It took until their finale against the Cincinnati Reds for the Mets to finally score a first inning run. The Braves are tied for the most earned runs in the first inning with 13. The two teams they’re tied with have played in two more games. The inflated 14.63 ERA in the first inning is how the Mets ravage the Braves. Of the 13 runs, 9 have been scored against Max Fried. He's scheduled to pitch on Thursday.

Attacking the Braves starting pitching early and often is a must in order to defeat them. Braves pitchers haven’t been elite. In fact, going toe-to-toe against the Mets starters, the edge lands with the team from New York.

The biggest reason why the Mets aren’t getting any early runs comes from the regular number one and two hitters. Brandon Nimmo and Francisco Lindor getting off to such miserable starts has made it difficult to get anything going early in games. They’ve made it easy on starting pitchers. It’s time for this to change.

Lindor seemingly snapping out of his funk on Sunday is hopefully the start of a long and successful stretch. Just in time, right? The Mets need their star shortstop firing on all cylinders ahead of these four games. The Mets can climb their way back into the division race or sink out of it.