As one of three teams fighting for two playoff spots, each and every remaining game counts. Especially since the Cardinals (vs. Reds and Pirates) and Giants (vs. Rockies and Dodgers) will both be at home for their last two series while we take the road. If we can reel off the next four including a sweep in Miami, things would look a lot brighter going into the playoffs. If we have to use both Noah Syndergaard and Bartolo Colon in the last weekend, then Seth Lugo will start in a do-or-die wild card playoff game. It’s not an easy path, but at least we control our own destiny to get there. Here’s what’s ahead for the Mets.
Mets @ Miami
Tonight: Bartolo Colon vs. Mike Conley
Tomorrow: Noah Syndergaard vs. Mike Koehler
Wednesday: Seth Lugo vs. TBD
Thursday: Mets off
Mets @ Philadelphia
Friday: Robert Gsellman vs. Alec Asher
Saturday: TBD vs. TBD
Sunday: TBD vs. TBD
We are still not in must-win category.
But winning would be preferable!
There’s still a strong chance that either the Cards or Giants will falter badly down the stretch. They have already. Maybe 3-3 gets the Mets in. It’s possible, but that doesn’t make it a good plan.
If you are collecting ballots, I’m voting in favor of winning. But if the Mets don’t win, if they run into a buzzsaw in Miami, I will be okay. I’m pretty amazed and grateful already for the way this team has responded to adversity. It feels like we’ve been handed a gift. I’m not going to throw it on the floor and cry, “But I wanted a pony!”
Let’s Go Mets!
“Maybe 3-3 gets the Mets in. It’s possible, but that doesn’t make it a good plan”
3-3 would require the Cards to go 5-2 just to tie, and 6-1 to win it outright as well as the Giants going 4-2 or better.
Heck even 2-4 would require the Cards to go 5-2 plus the Giants 4-2 for the Mets to miss a game #163, which is why i’d put the chances of the Mets getting at least a tie for the 2nd wild card at 95% at this point
Clearly every game is not a must win.
Anything can happen. I don’t really put any stock in playoff odds; things change too quickly.
As flawed and vulnerable as both the Cards and Giants appear, I have great respect for both those organizations and their managers. Yes, one could easily collapse. But my feeling is that neither team goes gently into the night. I think they put up a fight.
As for the Mets, it would be huge to get some big games out of Yoenis. He’s the man who can make the offense click into high gear.