It is now Playoffs or Bust time for the Mets and the latest baseball odds have the team’s chances of winning the World Series in the top five of all MLB teams.
With the team sitting on a 4.5 game lead and the Magic Number down to 40 entering play on August 19th, making the playoffs is the only option or else the 2015 season will go down as another collapse.
I’m not trying to be overly dramatic, nor do I think that this team will have their season go the way of the 2007 or 2008 squads. But if this team, with its pitching, revamped offense, and struggles of the Nationals, isn’t playing in the NL Division Series, this won’t be remembered as season of improvement or a season of a team on the verge – this will be remembered as a team that squandered the opportunity that was firmly in their grasp.
This is a team that’s poised to go deep into the playoffs. They have the potential to win the World Series. And while I won’t be satisfied with a first round exit, even being swept in an October playoff series wouldn’t be viewed as a failure.
Barring an act of God, the St. Louis Cardinals will be playing the Wild Card winner and the Mets would be left to face the winner of the National League West, most likely the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Losing to Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke in a short series isn’t anything to be ashamed of – and to be fair – no team wants to face the Mets rotation, either.
So where do your feelings stand? Would you still consider this season a success if the Mets failed to make the postseason?What about if they make the postseason and fail to advance beyond their first round?
For now, the Mets are in first place and looking good. So let’s enjoy this run, keep the pedal to the metal, and whatever other cliché comes to mind. Let’s Go Mets!!!
