OK, so as a Mets fan, I know it?s not cool to say this. It?s not cool to show fear or display even a smidgeon of doubt as October approaches and the Mets prepare for what many fans assume will be a gleeful romp to the World Series, most likely against the Yankees. The Amazin?s have rampaged through the National League this season like General Sherman marching through Atlanta. They?ve stomped on everything in their path, made mincemeat of their divisional foes, and have never been seriously challenged. So why am I worried? One, because as a Mets fan, it?s my birthright. And two: it?s the Dodgers, bro. If this past weekend?s series was any indication, I?m not printing World Series tickets just yet. What?s that, you say? The Dodgers, who went 1-13 after the All-Star Break and at one point occupied the NL West cellar? a team without anyone who?s hit 20 home runs or driven in so much as 85? a team that?s eight games under .500 on the road and couldn?t even hold a 7-0 lead at Wrigley Monday night despite six Cubs errors ? I?m worried about THEM? Uh, yes. Because, since July 31, the Dodgers are the most improved team in the NL (with kudos to the up-and-coming Florida Marlins). Since July 31, the additions of Greg Maddux, Julio Lugo, and Wilson Betemit have provided improved versatility on the field, and a Cy Young award-winning leader of the pitching staff. The Dodgers are 30-15 since that 1-13 slide; Derek Lowe, at least until recently, was the hottest pitcher in the NL, and they?ve had to make their way in a tougher division than the NL East, which isn?t exactly saying much. The Mets recently swept series from two other potential playoff opponents, the Padres and Cardinals. The Padres don?t have enough hitting; the Cards don?t have the pitching. The other wild-card contenders are too erratic to count as threats. But the Dodgers worry me. Last weekend, the Dodgers and Mets split four games. Were it not for Maddux tiring in the sixth inning on Saturday, and a questionable pitch call on David Wright that kept his at bat alive and allowed him to single in two runs, the Dodgers might well have taken three of four. While the Mets other win was a solid 7-0 shutout, both Dodgers victories were routs, and both were recorded by left-handed rookies (Hong Chih Kuo and Eric Stults) who the Mets might have to solve in October. The Dodgers can?t match the Mets long-ball trio of Carlos Beltran, Carlos Delgado, and David Wright, but they do lead the league in hitting, and boast an outstanding combination of savvy veterans (Nomar Garciaparra, Jeff Kent, J.D. Drew, Kenny Lofton) and good-looking rookies (Matt Kemp, Russell Martin, Andre Ethier). Like the Mets, they have a deep starting rotation of pitchers whose consistency varies. Their front three of Maddux, Derek Lowe, and Brad Penny matches up well with the Mets trio of Pedro Martinez, Tom Glavine, and Orlando Hernandez, all of whom have spent time on the DL in recent weeks. It?s lucky the Mets have possibly the deepest ? and best ? bullpen in baseball, because Pedro and Glavine rarely last past the sixth inning, the fourth starter (Steve Trachsel) has an ERA north of 5, and El Duque is as likely to toss a gem as he is to be knocked out by the fourth inning. And while the Mets have exhibited few vulnerabilities in this so-far magical season, hitting left-handers has become one of them. The switch-hitting Beltran is a much more effective hitter against righties. The second base platoon of lefty Jose Valentin and righty Chris Woodward is much more dangerous against right-handers. And lefty Endy Chavez is a much better hitter than his righty counterpart, Lastings Milledge, though the Mets are hoping that Cliff Floyd will be healthy end effective enough to take over left field in October. Looking for a few intangibles? While the Mets have cruised through a season devoid of meaningful games, the Dodgers, should they make the playoffs, will be toughened by a second half filled with meaningful games. The Mets may wind up having to play two California teams to get to the Series, which could mean several cross-country trips on short rest if the series go the distance. Think that isn?t tiring? You try it sometime. This is not to say that the Mets will be quaking in their cleats. They have the league?s most potent lineup, two of the best October starters in the business, and an unflappable manager in Willie Randolph. Most importantly, they have a swagger and cockiness not seen since the Davey Johnson days of the mid 1980s. But in a season where anything short of a World Series will be considered a disappointment, the Mets have high expectations to fill. And recent playoff history is littered with the failings of dominant regular season teams: just ask the 2001 Seattle Mariners, the 2003 San Francisco Giants, or the 2002 Oakland A?s, to name a few. The Dodgers are just the kind of team that can throw a scare into the Mets. Of course, they have to get there first. If the Dodgers win the NL West, they will likely draw the St. Louis Cardinals in the first round, a team that defeated them in all seven regular season games. But Dodgers fans can look back to 1988, when they went 1-10 against the Mets in the season, then rallied to win a memorable seven-game playoff series. 1988 was the last year the Mets won the NL East, and it was the last year the Dodgers won a World Series. I?m worried.