With 12 games remaining in the 2011 season, the Tampa Bay Rays were 4.0 games behind the Boston Red Sox for the Wild Card. The Rays would overcome that deficit by going 8-4 over their final 12 games, and they would claim the Wild Card with Evan Longoria hitting a walk off homer against the New York Yankees.
As we sit here today, that is the type of run the Mets need, but unfortunately, even if history were to repeat itself, that would only put the Mets back a game.
This is supposed to be the stretch of games which could help propel the Mets into the thick of things. However, as Rockies pitcher Antonio Senzatela broke an 0-for-44 streak to hit a two RBI single with the bases loaded, it appeared this was not going to be the Mets night. The ensuing Trevor Story three run homer cemented that feeling.
Not only did the Mets blow a 4-1 lead, but they wouldn’t score again losing 9-4. As this was happening, the Cubs were beating up on the Reds, and the Brewers took down the Padres. As a result, the Mets now stand 5.0 games back of the Cubs, and they are 4.0 games behind the Brewers.
The good news for the Mets is they still have two more against the Rockies, and they are going to set up Noah Syndergaard to succeed by having Rene Rivera catch him. Of course, that also means the team is going to send Marcus Stroman to the mound with Wilson Ramos. As evidenced by Stroman having a 4.55 ERA and 1.642 WHIP with Ramos behind the plate, Ramos’ inability to frame the low pitch is a bad mix for Stroman as well.
This all puts the Mets in an all the more daunting situation even with the Cubs having two series remaining against the Cardinals. The Brewers are a whole other matter who have one of the easiest finishing schedules in baseball. Christian Yelich or no Christian Yelich, the Brewers are in prime position to take one of the two Wild Card spots remaining.
As it stands, the Mets need to go on a torrid pace, one better than the 2011 Rays, to put themselves in position to grab a Wild Card or to force a play-in game for the play-in game. To put it in perspective, if the Mets find a way to go 10-2, they need the Brewers to go 6-6 and the Cubs to go 5-7.
As the Mets 2.4 percent postseason odds will attest, it’s still not impossible, but with each passing day, you wonder at what point a miracle is no longer going to be possible. That said, the Mets have been counted out countless times this season only for the team to get themselves back into the thick of it. If for no other reason, that’s enough of a reason to hold out hope.
