The passing of Tom Seaver is now behind them, and the Mets are in the stretch run of their 60-game season.
If there is any chance to play baseball in October, well, now is the time to be consistent and win ball games.
But with only 21 games remaining, they are running out of time.
The dramatic come from behind win over the Yankees is also behind them.
You might have thought, hey, that win was a turning point and divine intervention…think again.
The Mets continued to show their mediocrity in the opening game loss of a crucial series with the Phillies last night at Citi Field.
If this was a normal season, with Labor Day weekend here, all probability says the Mets would be playing out the string.
Now before you jump to conclusions, even with the team being within reach of a wild card, there is one main factor to consider as to why the team will come up short.
The word is consistency.
The Mets have failed to compile a winning streak that is needed more with this truncated schedule.
They need to pitch, hit, and play better defense on the field.
They made an attempt last night to continue any momentum they had, with Rick Porcello doing his best in a so-so quality start.
But the Mets could not rally, and they lost another game that could have gone their way.
At 17-22, the Mets face the possible end for any hopes of a postseason run if the Phillies sweep or take three-of-four in this series.
Any chance of catching the first place Braves would require a remarkable run of winning 15 of their remaining games.
And with this team, because there is lack of consistency, the Mets will need more of that divine intervention.
They will need to string wins together in a hurry to qualify as one of those eight teams out of the National League.
They will need consistency.
According to manager Luis Rojas, every game is the most important one.
The Mets are chasing the Phillies which makes this series an even more important one.
What follows after this Phillies series?
The Orioles, Blue Jays, and three more at the Phillies.
Yes, they are all important.
The Orioles are rebuilding but are a good hitting team.
The Blue Jays are chasing the Yankees and closing in, which signifies how good they are.
The Phillies?
Joe Girardi has his team in position and playing their best ball of the season these past two weeks.
But the Mets?
Time is running out.
Again, you can’t paint a picture on this as a season of what if’s.
You can say, though, that the second half run of last year was enough time before coming up short.
There is the difference this September, being 60 games compared to 162.
The winning streak has not come and there was no evidence this team could compile a bunch of wins.
Always, the games that you lose in April do come back to hurt a team in September.
The Mets as a team last year were an example of April not working in September, except this one is different.
The Mets needed to win ball games, and many at the beginning of this unusual season.
Unfortunately, they have not been able to be consistent in the win column.
So when the manager says every game is important — that, “We’ve got to play good baseball,” this is the message.
But the message and word are crucial.
Because the next three games are crucial, if the Mets can’t handle the Phillies this Labor Day weekend then it’s time to plan for 2021.
Comment: Twitter @Ring786 Facecbook.com/Rich Mancuso
