The Marlins are now getting a wake-up call.

First they lost three to Pittsburgh, of all teams, last week. Then the Philadelphia Phillies showed what it's like to play a defending world champion, sweeping through Florida during the weekend.

The dream season turned into a nightmare. The Marlins have lost six in a row, their longest losing streak since Aug. 15-22, 2007.

The bullpen blew back-to-back games against the Phillies on Friday and Saturday, including a seven-run, two-out, 38-pitch ninth-inning implosion by closer Matt Lindstrom on Friday night that Shane Victorino capped off with a grand slam.

And life isn't getting any easier for the Marlins this week. They arrived in New York for a three-game series against the Mets, who rebuilt their bullpen in the offseason after back-to-back September meltdowns, having lost six in a row.

The showcase matchup comes on Wednesday in New York when unbeaten Josh Johnson, with a 2.20 ERA and an average of 9.10 strikeouts per nine innings, takes the mound for the Marlins and Johan Santana gets the call for the Mets.

The Marlins were 10-8 over the last two seasons at Shea Stadium, but that comfort factor is gone, too. The Mets have moved across the parking lot to their new home, Citi Field.

After that it's on to Wrigley Field, which remains the home of the Cubs. The Marlins have lost only one of six series they have played in the Friendly Confines the last five years, dropping two of three in 2006. They are 12-7 overall at Wrigley since 2004.

MATCHUP OF THE WEEK: Mike Hampton starts for Houston at Atlanta on Friday, the left-hander's first appearance against the Braves. He spent the last six seasons on the Braves roster, earning $88,353,727, but pitching in only 85 games — just 25 the last four seasons. He was 35-24 in Atlanta, but missed the entire 2005 and 2006 seasons, and was only 8-7 in 2007-08 combined. Derek Lowe, the Braves major offseason free-agent addition, will start for Atlanta.

MILESTONES ON TAP: Seattle outfielder Ken Griffey, Jr. goes into the week having scored 1,620 runs, tied with Roger Connor for 39th all-time. With eight more runs he will not only pass Connor, but also Al Kaline (1,622), plus Eddie Murray and Paul Waner (1,627 apiece) and move into 35th on the all-time list. Robin Yount ranks No. 34 with 1,632 runs. ... White Sox DH/1B Jim Thome needs two walks to reach 1,560, and move ahead of Harmon Killebrew into 14th on the all-time list. Pete Rose ranks 13th at 1,566. ... Mets first baseman Carlos Delgado needs five RBI to 1,510, which would move him into 48th place all-time, passing Mickey Mantle.

KEEP AN EYE on right-handed reliever Mark Melancon, who made his big-league debut with a shutout inning for the Yankees at Boston on Sunday night. A ninth-round draft choice out of Arizona in 2006, Melancon has been on the fast track after sitting out 2007 recovering from reconstructive right elbow surgery. Since the start of last season he has risen from Single-A to Double-A to Triple-A and finally to the big leagues last weekend. In 50 minor league relief appearances during that stretch he had a 2.05 ERA, walking 25 batters and giving up 73 hits while striking out 106 in 105 1/3 innings.

MINNESOTA is looking at the possibility of All-Star catcher Joe Mauer finally joining the active roster by this weekend. Mauer, out with back problems, will have a rehab assignment at Single-A Fort Myers this week, and if the back handles the challenge he will be activated. The Twins need something positive in light of the struggles of projected 1-2 starters Scott Baker and Francisco Liriano, who are a combined 0-6 in six starts with a composite 8.60 earned-run average.

MAYBE FORMER pitching coach Rick Peterson wasn't the problem with the Mets, after all. Peterson was shown the door along with manager Willie Randolph in the midst of 2008. Dan Warthen took over the pitching chores and was quickly credited with turning around Oliver Perez. That was last year. This year? Well, the Mets rotation is a mess again. Oh, Johan Santana is rolling along with a 3-1 record and 0.70 ERA. The rest of the rotation is 4-6 in 14 games, during which the Mets are 5-9, and has a composite 7.43 ERA. Perez, who the Mets re-signed to a three-year, $36 million deal after shunning Derek Lowe, is 1-2 with a 9.31 ERA, apparently having forgotten all those positive changes that Warthen made last season.

THE KEY CHANGE in Toronto, which goes into the week leading the AL East? The return of manager Cito Gaston, who managed the Blue Jays to back-to-back world titles in 1992-93. Gaston's arrival in the midst of last season showed that general manager J.P. Ricciardi no longer was the decision maker in Toronto. CEO Paul Beeston, the team's original president who returned on an interim basis last season, and Gaston are now 1-2 in the Blue Jay power structure.