A look at the Mets and Nationals final six weeks

There’s a pennant chase in New York and it’s actually on both sides of the city. With a 4.5-game lead on the Washington Nationals, the Mets see themselves as a realistic postseason contender while the citizens and players have a forecast of doubt over their heads. Both teams have felt the injury bug hit them hard (for once it seems the Mets got the easier end of the stick), both have gone through extremely rough stretches, and both teams appear to be on the outside looking in for the Wild Card. Back in early August, it was reported that the Mets and Nationals have the two easiest schedules in the National League for the rest of the season. Nevertheless, let’s take a look at the pros, cons, and general info about the upcoming six weeks for each team.

New York Mets:

Remaining Schedule:
It’s as easy as advertised. Simple as that. Here is the schedule in a column:

Two games at Baltimore Orioles
Off day
Three games at Colorado Rockies
Four games at Philadelphia Phillies
Three games vs Boston Red Sox
Three games vs Philadelphia Phillies
Off day
Three games at Miami Marlins
Three games at Washington Nationals
Four games at Atlanta Braves
Three games vs Miami Marlins
Off day
Three games vs New York Yankees
Three games vs Atlanta Braves
Four games at Cincinnati Reds
Off day
Three games at Philadelphia Phillies
Three games vs Washington Nationals
There is no “rough” stretch during the rest of the season for this club. They play two consecutive stretches of 13 straight games after the Baltimore mini-series, with only a day separating the two. The simple fact of the matter is that nearly 23% of their remaining games are against the Hamels-less Phillies, they only play 25% of their games against teams who are “in it,” and few of the teams have big prospects that could change the dynamic of a September team. The biggest problem, as always, could be the excessive traveling. The second 13-game stretch goes from Miami to Washington to Atlanta and finishes in Queens. The rough part is the day game on Sunday in Miami to a day game in Washington. Overall, there is nothing for the Mets to be afraid of heading into the final six weeks (schedule-wise).

Injury Bug Report:

David Wright: Apparently returning during the Phillies series next week
If Wright returns, and that’s a big if, the Mets will not be receiving vintage Wright, but rather an emotional boost to a team that needs their captain. If they don’t get him back, nothing will be different from what is happening right now- and that’s probably okay (although Sunday’s 7th inning might have been a bit different).

Rafael Montero: Done for the season
Oh, Montero. Considered one of the best pitching prospects in a pitching-deep system, Montero had a spot carved out for him as a spot-starter this season. Unfortunately, he was placed on the disabled list in April and never left. His presence would be nice for this squad, but without him the Mets will not change for better or worse.

Steven Matz: Returning in early September
The Mets liked what they saw from the 24-year old lefty and so did many Mets fans. He provides the crucial sixth man that will give a bit of ease for the big three righties atop the rotation, in addition to some solid starts. Matz recently started a game with the St. Lucie Mets in which he pitched an inning, struck out two, and allowed a run. He should be back soon to provide another crucial arm for the pennant chase.

Kirk Nieuwenhuis: Should return by the time rosters expand on September 1st
The road this guy has experienced since arriving in Queens back in 2012 is nothing short of mind-boggling. He was known as a Gold Glove contender back in early 2012, a waste of bench space in 2013, a revitalized bench slugger in 2014, then became an Anaheim Angel, and finally rounding out as a guy who hit the first 3-homer game as a Met in Queens. Now he sits in AAA awaiting the decision from the front office as to whether he will clear waivers and stay in AAA or come back to Queens. He played two uneventful games in St. Lucie and has played one game in AAA thus far. If still with the team by September 1st, he will return deepening their bench.

Erik Goeddel: His return will depend on the state of the Mets bullpen
In the early parts of the season, Goeddel appeared to be the second best reliever on the team and was poised for any situation he was thrown into. Unfortunately, he went under the knife and his 1.96 ERA is not currently with Mets. He pitched in five games for the St. Lucie Mets in early August and recently pitched an inning for the AA Mets. He should return to solidify the currently struggling Mets bullpen.

Jerry Blevins: Done for the season- or not
Blevins was a stud in April, there is nothing more to say. He retired all fifteen batters he faced and appeared to be stabilizing the left side of the bullpen in the absence of Josh Edgin. He recently had a setback and will likely be done for the season. However, Blevins believes he could pitch in the playoffs- don’t hold your breath.

Three Major Keys for the Mets to make the playoffs:

1) Keeping their starters fresh
This one is quite obvious for Mets fans, as the front three in the rotation all face innings limits. The key will be getting Matz back and promptly returning to the six-man rotation or at the very least using Logan Verrett or Dillon Gee as spot starters in September. This is probably the biggest question that the Mets face heading into the final six weeks and will likely result in a controversial decision. Stay tuned.

2) Play fundamental baseball
The Mets have been quite clean when it has come down to playing professional baseball, with the exception of a few Wilmer Flores defensive miscues in April. This all changed on Sunday vs. the Pirates when there were four atrocious miscues that led to an embarrassing Mets loss. It’s unlikely the Mets will play that way again, but the Mets need to beat the teams that are better than them if they want to make the playoffs.
3) Figure out a way to keep the bullpen strong
It all started with the sudden implosion of Jeurys Familia in late July followed by the ridiculous suspension of Jenrry Mejia, and now it has spread to Bobby Parnell. The Mets currently have two guys that Terry Collins cannot trust in a big situation (Parnell and Eric O’Flaherty). The other five appear to be guys that can get the job done 80-90% of the time, which should be fine. The Mets need to send reinforcements from the minor leagues whether it be Vic Black, Goeddel, or Verrett. The bullpen needs to hold down the fort or 2007/2008 will be repeated.

Washington Nationals:

Remaining Schedule:
The Nationals remaining schedule is also quite easy overall. Here it is in a column:

Three games at Colorado Rockies
Three games vs Milwaukee Brewers
Off day
Three games vs San Diego Padres
Three games vs Miami Marlins
Three games at St. Cardinals
Four games vs Atlanta Braves
Three games vs New York Mets
Off day
Three games at Miami Marlins
Three games at Philadelphia Phillies
Four games vs Miami Marlins
Three games vs Baltimore Orioles
Off day
Three games vs Philadelphia Phillies
One game vs Reds (make-up game from 7/8)
Three games at Atlanta Braves
Three games at New York Mets

The Nationals face an uphill battle to try and top the New York Mets, which appears to be not too difficult. Like the Mets, they play a ton of games against some of the league’s worst. Roughly 27% of the Nationals remaining 45 games are against current last-place teams. The problem for the Nationals is that they play 20% of their remaining games vs first place teams (Mets and Cardinals). In fact, while the Nationals play the Cardinals, the Mets play the Phillies. The Nationals were blessed with a fairly easy schedule the rest of the way, but they must take full advantage if they would like to leapfrog a determined Metropolitan team.

Injury Bug Report:

Aaron Barrett: Recently placed on DL, return unknown
Barrett was a huge boost for the Nationals last season, with a remarkable 2.66 ERA and masterful 10.8 K/9 rate. This season was not as great despite his walk rate cutting in half. Nevertheless, Barrett recently suffered an elbow injury and will probably not be back for a few weeks.

Dan Uggla: Recently placed on the DL, unclear of return
It has been the same problems in a different season for Uggla, with high strikeout totals and diminishing abilities. Even the power has left him – evidence a lone homerun in 126 plate appearances. It’s hard to see a guy that had so much talent completely go to waste once a pitching era began. If he does return this season, it is likely he won’t play on another major league roster after 2015- which is a shame.

Denard Span: Should return within the next two weeks
The last major player on the Nationals still on the shelf is Span, and his return is somehow on par with Wright’s. Span has served as the dynamic lead-off hitter for the Nationals over the past three seasons and has not disappointed. This particular season has been his finest since 2009, but he has failed to stay healthy for the first time since 2011. Nationals players and fans alike see him as a savior for the team when he returns, which is ridiculous. A guy like Span supplements a great offense like the Nationals, not boosts it. When he returns, nothing will really change- unless the Nationals change before he arrives.

Three Major Keys for the Nationals to make the playoffs:

1) The rotation must take shape:
This “rotation of the century” has been an absolute disaster behind the recently struggling Max Scherzer. Jordan Zimmerman and Gio Gonzalez have not been terrible, but they have not fit the ace status that both have demonstrated in the past. Beyond them, Stephen Strasburg and Doug Fister have been a catastrophe in comparison to both their track records. The saving grace for them has been the production of Joe Ross (except his last two starts). Overall, a team that should have been atop every pitching category currently resides 10th in the MLB for starters ERA.

2) Anthony Rendon must step up:
Rendon, in 2014, was a huge factor in the 96 wins they produced and the fifth in MVP voting showed that. Even though he has battled through the injury bug for virtually the entire season, Rendon needs to improve upon his .651 OPS. His production looks like the team batting of the Mets before July 26th. If the Nationals want to compete in September, he must become the MVP candidate he was in 2015.

3) The veterans must return to form
The biggest problem for the Nationals this season has been the lack of health around the diamond and that lack of health has affected the veterans more than anyone. Ryan Zimmerman has been a complete black hole on offense with a .688 OPS- and Jayson Werth has been even worse with a .531 OPS. Beyond them, Wilson Ramos and Ian Desmond have been utter disappointments at the dish, with Desmond taking those frustrations to the field. Bryce Harper cannot possibly continue holding this team on his back even though he has been doing it for nearly five months. It’s sad when Yunel Escobar is the saving grace for a team.

Overall, this will be an interesting pennant chase from a baseball fan’s perspective. For Mets fans it will be a great time to watch the team with an 70% percent chance to win the division, but not so pleasant for the Nationals fans who are starting to sweat with a 31.3% percent chance of taking the division. In the end, either team could pull through with the talent both squads possess.