OK, I'm going to abandon the previous format for these things and just tell you a few things the Thunder need to do to win the series with the B-Mets.

+ They need a good start from De La Rosa tonight. As sad as it may sound, after his dazzling debut last time out, De La Rosa is the team's ace. Recording your first six outs on Ks has a way of earning you that role.

He'll match arms against Binghamton's Dylan Owen, who's had a rough go of it so far -- sporting an ERA above 5.00.

+ Someone -- anyone -- other than Jorge Vazquez (where would this team be without him?) needs to hit. The Thunder have the worst slugging percentage in the league -- a putrid .347 --and have hit just a dozen home runs, five by Vazquez. Four regulars are hitting less than .215 (!).

Tony Franklin is right when he says this team can make a move, but only because the division is so bunched. If Trenton were in the Southern Division and had to deal with Akron all year, it might be over by now.

+ The defense needs to stay solid. After a very rocky first few weeks, the Thunder's gloves have started to come around. Staying that way would be very helpful in putting together a good road trip in advance of a home series next week with the mighty Akron Aeros, who are 23-7.

Also, nice to see that two recent Thunder members made the covers of the New York dailies today.

Brett Gardner on the Post, and Ramiro Pena on the Daily News. Way to be, guys.