Just when you think they’re dead, they pull you back in. Winning the last two games in San Francisco and getting back to .500 has put the Mets 4.5 games away from the second Wild-Card spot.
The team ahead of them, the St. Louis Cardinals, will be their opponent for the next three games, starting Tuesday. Winning this series is crucial for this team going forward.
The Mets send Jon Niese (8-7, 5.30 ERA) to the mound in the opening game of the series as he will be opposed by Jaime Garcia (10-8, 4.11 ERA). It is hard to believe that the team would turn to Niese in such a big game, one would believe his leash may be short as the team need to get off to a good start in this series.
The final two games of the series have Jacob deGrom (7-6, 2.73 ERA) taking the mound for the first time since his disastrous start in San Francisco. He will be opposed by one of the Cardinals best in Carlos Martinez (11-7, 3.24 ERA).
The final game will tentatively see Steven Matz (9-8, 3.40 ERA) getting the start depending on the recovery of his shoulder.It is very possible Seth Lugo starts in his place. That being said, old friend, Adam Wainwright (9-7, 4.71 ERA) will pitch the final game of the series for St. Louis.
Even if the Mets can take just two out of three in this series and be only 3.5 games back of the second Wild Card, it would breathe new life into the season. The Metropolitans have the strength of schedule going forward. As Yoenis Cespedes begins to heat up, you never know what could happen. Ya gotta believe, right?
