The Mets have a great record here recently yet it doesn’t feel like they’ve been a particularly great team. Is that a good sign? The answer probably depends on whether you’re an optimist or a pessimist. But let’s look at how they’ve done over the past three weeks or so:
Played three good teams in Baltimore, San Diego and Arizona, with the latter two series on the road. Went a combined 6-4 which should be viewed as a good result. Yet two of those losses were gut-punch ones, with Edwin Diaz surrendering the lead late. Instead of celebrating 6-4, we’re dismayed that 8-2 slipped thru our hands.
Next, the Mets played the worst team in baseball and three middling teams and went a combined 10-2. This should be viewed as a great result. Yet, instead, the fans are lamenting the hitting not being particularly impressive. It’s not that the fans are wrong. It’s just – holy smokes – we’re going to bitch about 10-2? Really?
Some people would rather worry than enjoy.
Sure, there’s a list of a dozen or so things that I wish the Mets would do differently, chief among them to stop giving ABs to Harrison Bader. But it seems there’s a difference between poor decisions and poor outcomes. It certainly would be nice if Pete Alonso and J.D. Martinez and Brandon Nimmo would start hitting. But those players have extensive track records of performing well and not from three seasons ago, either. Much like there was no reason to give up on Francisco Lindor when he wasn’t hitting early in the season, there’s no reason to lose faith that our trio listed above has forgotten how to hit.
Maybe a trip to Philadelphia is all they need for the hits to start falling in and the XBH to materialize.
The Phillies lead the division and seem strong both with the bats and on the mound this season. But their advantage over the Mets was built early in the year, when the Mets couldn’t get out of their own way. In the last 10 games, both teams are 8-2. In the last 30 games, both teams are 19-11. This series in Philly doesn’t seem predestined to end in defeat. Rather, it seems a battle between two evenly matched squads that could shake out in any way and not be a surprise.
If it works out that the Phillies have a series like the Mariners did against the Mets, the worrywarts will be out in full force, saying some version of, “I told you so!” The thing that kills me is that even when they’re right – they still won’t be happy. And at some point, isn’t that what this diversion is supposed to be about – the chance to be happy?
My hope is that some of the struggling hitters turn it around in Philadelphia. Yet if they don’t – and the Mets still somehow win two out of three – there will be no fretting in this corner. Instead, it will be celebrating big wins and looking forward to the next series.
When people pity me for being a Mets fan, I tell them it’s better than being a Yankees fan. Living in NJ, I see that Yankees fans expect a pennant every season and are outraged it fails. But Mets fans are happy just to be in the hunt for a Wild Card. We appreciate the relative rarity of Mets success. The glass is half-full. Enjoy!
I think part of this comes from the team that somehow immediately wilts for no reasons at a critical time. Like there are a bunch of wins then all the sudden 4 games with a few runs 10-15 hits in total and what looks like a team totally lost in space. I mean the Jays win the other day was dramatic and a joy to behold, but you cant whitewash away that the Jays were 3 outs from a no hitter.
Im a big believer that the only metric that really counts is the score, and the record. Unfortunately we have seen this team wilt under pressure at critical times more than once. For this fan, cautious optimism is a defense mechanism against overwhelming disappointment when reality hits!
Super excited abt this series. Expecting victory. Knowing that a loss or 2 doesn’t eliminate us. Knowing that the braves have the dodgers and that we ll be playing for a playoff spot the last week if the season no matter what. Enjoying every second of it
Been a fan since game1 in 62. This is one of my favorite teams. Think (hope) they make the playoffs.
Whether we make the playoffs or not, this team is ahead of where everyone, including Mr. Cohen and Mr. Stearns, thought we would be. For the most part, this team has been a joy to watch. I don’t think any fan is always completely happy with his team’s play. We are finally moving in the direction Mr. Cohen said he wanted the Mets to go in. After the first month of the season, no one is laughing at this team now. We have compiled one of the best won/loss records in the league. I think our future looks bright and the best lies ahead. Let’s Go Mets.
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The Mets are playing winning baseball but so are the Phillies. I expect to win one game because they’re in Philadelphia and the Phillies are a good team. I hope that they’ll at least win two games and continue to apply pressure to the Braves, Padres and Diamondbacks.
Can the Padres win their series in San Francisco? I think so.
Can the Diamondbacks win their home series against the Brewers. I think so.
Can the Dodgers split their wrap around series in Atlanta? I think so.
What I do know is that playoff stretch baseball is exciting and I’m glad that the Mets are in it.
10-6,does that do it? How about 10-6 and they win 2 out of 3 against the Braves?
How about 14-2 and taking six from the Phillies?