As Keith Hernandez indicated, we might not even need to deliver a knockout punch when the season concludes with a three-game series against the Washington Nationals. We’ve got a four-and-a-half game lead in the National League East, momentum on our side and a relatively easy schedule the rest of the way. For the first time since June 27, 2010, we’re 11 games over .500. The division favorite Nationals are struggling and the rest of our division stinks. Since July 24, the Mets are 13-5, largely because we’re finally scoring runs. In fact, we’ve scored 100 in that time, more than any other team in the National League, at a remarkable 5.3 runs per game (up from a putrid 3.4 up until then). With this pitching staff getting run support, nothing can stop this Mets train! Playoffs here we come for the first time in nine years!
Screeeeeech! That’s the sound of every long-time, diehard Mets fan hitting the brakes on their excitement. The epic collapse of 2008 wasn’t so long ago that we haven’t remembered to curb our enthusiasm even at a time as joyous as this summer has been. Even as the stars seem to align with our captain David Wright and future star lefty hurler Steven Matz set to rejoin the team for the stretch run in September, we must hold off on buying champagne, adding “2015 champs” to our elaborate Mets back tattoos and custom ordering car horns that play “Meet the Mets” (if there is such a thing).
So, what could possibly go wrong? For starters, don’t count out the Nationals. Though they’ve underachieved this season, they are still a talented team with tremendous pitching and an MVP candidate in Bryce Harper. We have to play them six more times and head-to-head matchups essentially count double in the standings. Their schedule may not be as easy as ours, but they too will enjoy games against the struggling Marlins, Phillies and Braves. Don’t count on them making it easy.
That goes double for the division doormats. Let’s not forget it was the Marlins who stuck it to us in both 2007 and 2008 and the Braves have also been known to stick their foot out as we’re running toward the finish line. And the Phillies, lo and behold, have been playing well of late, in spite of half their team being traded away or wallowing on the disabled list. Teams with nothing to lose can be dangerous.
The remaining schedule, while relatively light for the Mets, includes enough challenging games (two series vs. the Nats and one apiece vs. the Yankees, Pirates and Orioles) that the others become must wins. Twenty six of our remaining games are on the road, where we have a pretty lousy 21-34 record.
The backdoor into the playoffs is quickly closing as the Pittsburgh Pirates have been good all year and the red hot Chicago Cubs also sit ahead of us in the wild card standings. Add the always tough San Francisco Giants to the mix and you have a very challenging path to a one-game playoff. The clearest path to the playoffs for the Mets is the front door – win the division. That way we get a real series – seven games against the Dodgers (most likely). But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
As National League teams fight for the five coveted playoff spots it’s like a game of musical chairs. We started with 15 participants and are now down to essentially seven fighting for those five spots. It’s safe to get excited but let’s hold off on the tattoo and car horn for a bit. Right now, the only thing that is certain is that the Mets are in the thick of a pennant race and that’s something we haven’t been able to say in Queens for a long time.
The Phillies worry me as a stretch run spoiler. Those games are still very winnable, but given how they’re playing lately, they’re not gimmes. If we can win the next series in DC, we should be in great shape. The Nationals, thankfully, are underachieving big time and are helping us pad the division lead.
The Mets are right in the middle of a pennant race, safe has nothing to do with it. Get excited!!!!!!!!!!
Yes, get excited, enjoy these games. This is what it’s all about.
Probably the most over-reported thing, perpetuated by ESPN, is the “easiness” of the Mets comparative schedule. It’s all meaningless, based on results in the past, with nothing to do about the present or the future.
The Mets feel like a solid team right now, besides a little bit of a soft bullpen. I like their professionalism, their focus, their calm. Terry deserves credit. I thought he’d be twitchy and over-reactive, but so far, steady as she goes.
The Nats are a tough team, a lot of quality guys, but this sure doesn’t feel like it’s their year. Matt Williams is awful and it seems like there’s a problem in their clubhouse. I know in this day and age of enlightenment we tend to minimize “chemistry and character,” but I do think the Mets have an edge in those categories.
We also don’t have Muno, Campbell, Mayberry, and Kirk anymore and have replaced them with real, professional baseball players. That’s been the biggest change. Long, long overdue — years, in fact — but I’m not complaining.
I’m excited. I don’t take any of these games for granted, and don’t expect anyone to hand this thing to the Mets. They are going to have to win 90+ games. I believe they can do it.
+1. Im with you JP.
I’ll cry in late Sept or October if need be. For now, “I gotta believe”.
Let’s see how these three games against Pittsburgh go down, before crowing too loudly about the easy schedule. Those guys are playing good ball, and will show up to play against the Mets even though they won’t face Gerrit Cole.
But sure, get excited. Why the hell not? It’s spectator sports; spectate!
just a nitpick, but the division series is best of 5 not best of 7. Crucial we end up with the 2 seed over the dodgers or giants so we can have our studs opening up at home, we’re they are collectively nearly unbeatable.
“don’t count out the Nationals. Though they’ve underachieved this season, they are still a talented team with tremendous pitching and an MVP candidate in Bryce Harper”, is a very true statement and advice I would heed. The Mets just need to hold service the rest of the way. Their exceptional starting pitching and two man end of the game bullpen along with a strong veteran presence on the bench gives me confidence that they will. They may even pull away some more because the Nationals are an internal mess and their manager has not risen to the challenge. I think the Mets will finish strong, much like the 1969 Mets. Yes, I am excited!
I’ve seen a lot of mention of a clubhouse or chemistry problem with the Nats. What’s behind that?
I feel like I picked up something somewhere along the line, not a full-blown article. Mostly a vibe. Certainly any team led by Bryce Harper is going to have issues, IMO. Bringing in Papelbon has been disastrous for Storen. And how can the players respect Williams? I’d bet Zimmerman, the pitcher, is still pissed off from last year’s playoffs. But mostly I’ve gone on a clue here and there and speculated. I could be completely wrong and that’s a tight team, but it’s not my feeling.
FWIW, Today on MLB radio (Power Alley), Jim Duquette intimated that he felt there were issues in the clubhouse, but Mike Ferrin who I think covers the Nats and is in the clubhouse insisted things are fine on the inside.
11 games above .500 is very different than being on top of an extremely weak division. I am allowing myself enthusiasm, while maintaining some defensive posture that can always say, “same ole Mets” should we go into a tailspin.
The fact, however, is that we are one of the top pitching teams and pitching does well in the post season. The infusion of Conforto, Kelly and Uribe have been nice, and even though no major production yet from Cespedis, his presence in the line up has, as Murphy said, made a difference to the others. I did not realize how beloved Uribe is to team mates and to see the 36 year old hustle the way he does is a feel-good story. He is an inspiration. I have noted that even Tejada appears to be running harder, now. Other than putting Kelly in the outfield, the new guys have contributed and perhaps, more than just numbers for themselves.
Matz is coming back.
David Wright sat out Single A due to stiffness so I am not putting much stock there, and I am concerned about Duda’s back.
I love Conforto’s swing. He looks, at times, like he owns pitching, and then he looks overwhelmed, but, all in all, he appears to be learning. Even when schooled, he does not have a dramatic change in body language.
It has been a fun year with two major streaks sandwiching some depressing low offensive productivity.
We are “Miracle Mets” so if we make post-season, anything can happen. Given the arms we have (if they are permitted to pitch), we will be in every game, and have a chance.
James, I am with you about the Nats. There is something very wrong there. Perhaps they should have gotten Uribe and some mature leadership.
Matt, good article. Thanks!
Peter,
Can you please elaborate on where you saw that Wright had stiffness? Last night, he was in the starting lineup and got one at bat, but the game was rained out after one inning. There wasn’t any reports of stiffness in the articles I saw. Please advise…
Further to everyone, Kirkkk played also and got one at bat. He feels that he needs at least 20 rehab at-bats to be ready. I would think he would be back September 1.
Back to that bit about the Nats’ clubhouse, I see a lot of speculation and general comments but no specifics or naming names. Is it the coach, a particular player, a philosophy issue? Injuries are one thing but they have some veterans having really bad seasons. Prior to this year, Zimmerman, Desmond, Werth and Fister were all consistently good players. WTF happened to them? Also, the trade for Papplebon has turned Storen from a good closer into a bad setup guy.
Not wanting to ruffle any feathers and if this is inappropriate please delete, but another website has an interview with Sandy Alderson done this morning that some of you may want to see. It is three parts, here is the middle part:
http://metsmerizedonline.com/2015/08/exclusive-sandy-discusses-cespedes-and-tigers-unwillingness-to-budge-part-2.html/
TexasGusCC, that’s very interesting what Sandy had to say about Fullmer. I have to say, as much as I’ve been critical of Sandy in the past, he did an unbelievable job adding a star rental bat, legit setup man, LOOGY and two very useful veterans without giving up any of our top young players or prospects.
Matt, after seeing what the Blue Jays gave up for their rental (Price) what the Astros gave up for theirs (Kazmir), and the three very good lefties the Royals gave up for Cueto, Anderson did well to only give up Fulmer.
However, the Astros and Jays also gave up a pretty penny for the other players they got also.