The Mets stand 41-50 at the All-Star Break, finishing 17-13 in their last 30 games. This has pulled them 11 back in the division and only eight losses out of the second Wild Card spot. With the way they have been playing, is it outrageous to dream of a second half run?
Well, yes and no. We all have documented the problems within this organization. Starting from a manager with some questionable decisions to talent that hasn’t lived up to its hype (Ike Davis and Jordany Valdespin), the Mets have had their share of faults this season. But over the past couple of weeks, we have seen just what this Mets team can really do.
The introduction of Zack Wheeler to the majors has brought in success, along with the addition of Eric Young Jr. as a leadoff hitter. The result: a stretch of games that has made all Mets fans want to tune in and watch.
It probably isn’t enough to make a push as Wheeler is bound to hit his share of struggles and Young Jr. will cool off as a leadoff hitter. For the fans though, it has been a glimpse of what the future has in store.
In 1973, the Mets held a record of 38-48. They found themselves 10 and a half games out of the NL East. The second half they went 44-31 and won the NL East. What does this all mean? It means that there is hope. I, myself, will be trapped into the idea that this team can make a second half push and make a run.
That’s the best part of baseball, anything can happen. This Mets team could make a run over these next two weeks; add a piece at the deadline and make a run that will make the summer enjoyable. The more realistic fan in me knows this is not the case, but is enjoying the thought of it happen.
These thoughts are what will keep me tuned in as a fan, to watch this team mature and possibly make that run all while moving closer to the ultimate goal of making it back to the postseason. It’s times like these to be excited as a diehard and a member of the Mets fan-base. This summer and off-season will be a time that is talked about as the turning point of the Mets franchise. And it all starts with a second half full of dreams and aspirations of getting back to the promise land of October baseball.
Only if Alderson trade Marlon Byrd for magic beans.
You forgot to mention Josh Satin as a reason the mets also have turned it around? Unless the mets are willing to get rid of Davis and put Satin back at first everyday there chances aren’t very good! But if Sandy were to add a player with power for left field and get rid of Davis the mets would have a chance because of the two wild cards! The mets could make a run at it if they can stay within striking distance(10 games or less) and score runs but with there starting pitching anything is possible!!
From June to July, the Mets had two pitchers be as good as anyone in the NL – Torres (!) and Hefner. In addition to a significant leadoff hitter, they produced a 1B (Satin) AND a CF (Lagares) that could play gold glove defense and not completely stink at the plate.
They paid NOTHING (next to it) for five, legitimately fine players.
My bet is that only Hefner (and Young) of the five are given a shot to establish themselves as full time starters.
And that’s the sin of our Manager. Fire Terry Collins.
I think people are giving too much credit to Wheeler for this turnaround (mainly because he joined just when EY did)
So far he has made 5 starts. He has had 1 dominant outing, 1 great outing, 2 bleh outings, and 1 terrible outing. He also has a Scott Rice-like 1.429 WHIP
It also has to do with the fact that his call-up symbolized the future being underway and that may have fired everyone up to play well. While he has had his struggles, I think his presence has sparked some life.
I wouldn’t give Wheeler a ton of credit yet, but he has looked good in flashes and he gives the team morale a boost. Wait for next year and beyond to credit him with their success, hopefully along with Harvey and 23 other players.
A legitimate “run” to a Wild Card or the Division isn’t very likely, but I do think they will play over .500 the rest of the way and get close .500 overall.
Better than I thought they’d do 6 weeks ago. Shades of ’83.
I have been looking through past years of Mets baseball, and it is a mixed bag. The contending teams maintained their pace. Some faded. Some that were equivalent to this team, had a run but died at the end. But they didn’t have what this team has, guarded optimism. If it weren’t for the oppositions walkoffs of recent games, the Mets would be about 3 or 4 games out of the wildcard not to mention, dare I say it, 1st place. The Mets open the second half with 3 straight division series against Philly, Atlanta, and Washington plus a series against Miami( I know that’s 4). 14 games.Should the Mets win 9 or 10, do they buy or sell by the trade deadline? Can’t wait.
It makes these next two/three weeks very exciting an important. Usually around this time we are 5 or 6 games above .500 waiting for the collapse. This time, could it be that the tables are turned? Is this the time where we make a run? My brain tells me to stop thinking this way, but the fan in me still wants to believe it can happen.
Umm no way. Lets imagine that the away game cool off that is coming is really coming. Sure we took a few series, but the Giants and Brewers are hardly measuring sticks. Lets also imagine that the second half is not kind to the Mets in general. Lets also not forget how terrible this team plays in Citi. We will get our short streaks that look and feel like the real thing, and then the Marlins will come around and so will the Braves and Phillies…and we will drop 8 in a row. This team is still a 70-72 W group. Im hoping for more of course, but with the number of exchangeable pieces being moved on the chess board, its hard to imagine. In July alone we face only NL east opponents. Looking over Aug and Sept, there aint much soft stuff in there. Through Sept we only have 4 series against teams with records presently worse than us, 38 games in the division, and 4 more games at home than on the road. Yes, thing will change, but Im not prepared to use this last stretch against downer teams to project what playing the Dodgers, Braves, or Phils will be like. I love what Ive been seeing, I just cant see it as continuing on.
I’m not sure I buy into the 70 win mentality, just as much as I don’t buy into a playoff spot (could be close though).
This team started pitching very well and scoring some runs midway through the first half. They’re not dominating, but quietly winning series is a good measure of success.
I would not be surprised if they finished around the .500 mark, assuming no trades or additional injuries.
You can’t really predict anything until we see what Alderson does in regards to the trading deadline. The season starts on 8/1/13.
The trade deadline should bring us in more blue chip prospects if it brings in anything and those prospects are not going to influence 2013. I think the question is, can the Mets play .500 ball from this point forward so that the 2014 team will have a jumping off reference point? I love my Mets but without a healthy Niese, and d’Arnaud healing slowly, I see them falling a game or two shy of even this modest goal.
Before we drink too much kool-aid, let us remember that the second half schedule includes a number of make-up games. That is going to put added stress on the pitching staff along with the every day players. Guys like Wright, Quintanilla and Byrd (if he’s not traded) are going to need time off. However, I don’t have much confidence in TC going there. Many years ago Leo Durocher burnt out his Cubs regulars which helped the Mets overtake them. I fear that TC wants a contract renewal too badly to learn from history. This Mets team is too talent-thin to overcome the heavy second half schedule.
Thanks to mlb trade rumors website, i’ve stumbled upon mets360 a few days ago. right off the bat i gotta say i love this site!!! i’m a 47 yr old diehard mets fan and couldn’t hold a candle to the mets knowledge the writers & most of the people who comment here have.
I do have one question, if the mets trade bobby parnell, who takes over as their closer?
Hey JB – Thanks for reading and the kind words!
I would think at this point in time that it would be one of the veterans, perhaps Aardsma because of his previous closing experience. Hawkins has experience too, but my recollection is that he wasn’t as successful as Aardsma in the role.
Edgin might have the best “stuff” of any of the relievers but I’m not sure TC could handle having a lefty in the pen that he couldn’t use unless the team had a small lead in the 9th.
Wishful thinking about the playoffs for this year and an unfair comparison to the ’73 Met team which was a veteran team with a decent manager.The bull pen even though it is inconsistent has a consistent manager who will continue to screw it up. There is not enough talent to overcome the shortcomings of this team. Trade Duda to an American League team where he is better suited to DH and an occasional spot duty at first base. Platoon Ike and Satin for the remainder of the year at first. Need to upgrade shortstop, left field and decide on who is going to be you second base man for 2014. Hopefully catcher will not be a question mark for next season. This team can’t even win at home consistently so how can expect them to reach the playoffs?