Carlos Beltran is only part of the solution if the Mets are to see October.

The second half of the baseball season got underway Thursday. For the Mets, it didn’t go well. Facing two-time Cy Young Tim Lincecum, their bats failed- getting shutout 2-zip. The loss tied them with the Giants, who also share an identical 48-41 record with three big games left.

Complemented with Atlanta edging Milwaukee 2-1, the Amazin’s fell five back. Even more daunting is that with wild card leader Colorado red hot entering a three-game series against NL Central leader Cincinnati, it doesn’t get any easier for New York to make October. Especially with the Dodgers, Cards and Phils all in the mix. You could argue that it would just be easier to win their division. It’s hard to see the Braves running away with it even after their pickup of shortstop Alex Gonzalez. You have to figure both the Mets and Phillies will hang around making for a photo finish.

For Jerry Manuel’s club to do its part, they must get Jose Reyes back and see quick results from Carlos Beltran, who went 1-for-4 in his return. It would also help if Jason Bay earned his hefty paycheck every once in a blue moon. They’re not paying him to imitate David Wright’s 2009. Six home runs and a paltry 44 RBI’s just won’t cut it. It’s about time he gave Wright and rookie first baseman Ike Davis some support. They could also use some of that early magic from Rod Barajas’ bat.

On the pitching front, they need Mike Pelfrey to return to form. Hopefully, the time off allowed him to recoup. For much of the first half, he was their best pitcher. If they’re to seriously challenge, Pelf must follow a rejuvenated Johan Santana and Rookie Of The Year candidate Jonathon Niese with the kinda yeoman work we saw the first three months. Speaking of the crafty southpaw, he goes in Game 2 against vet Barry Zito. Lately, he’s been money. They need him to silence the fire alarm. The Mets can’t ask for much better out of vet knuckleballer R.A. Dickey, who yet again gave a quality outing tossing seven innings of one-run ball to lower his ERA to 2.62.

Of course, if Omar Minaya was able to acquire one more big arm (Oswalt, Lilly, Wolf, Myers) and add a setup man, they’d take their best shot. We’ve heard plenty about how they should consider their future. Uh. How many World Series have they won?!?!?!?!?! Beltran has one more year left. Santana ain’t getting any younger. And K-Rod has already been shaky.

How many chances do you get to win? After what’s happened the past three years, ain’t it about time Fred Wilpon made a statement? Save all the talk about how they got no money. What’s their payroll again? It’s not like they sold off players.

The Met slogan is “Believe In 2010.” What better way to do that than to go all out.