Two steps forward, three steps backward. That has been the theme for the 2017 New York Mets.
After winning five of its last six games going into a pivotal home series with the Washington Nationals, optimism was starting to rear its head.
Even with the injuries, if the Mets could just get to Washington’s bullpen, they might have a chance at scratching out a few wins and making up some ground in the National League East.
The Mets had an opportunity to be just 4.5 games out of first place if they swept the Nationals.
Even with that being highly unlikely, winning three out of four or splitting the series the Mets could have remained within striking distance.
Instead, the Nationals stuck a knife in the Mets and twisted, leaving New York with their tails between their legs and hooked up to a respirator, gasping for air, now 11.5 games back.
For all the talk of how bad the Nationals bullpen is, all three Mets relievers gave up a run on Saturday including our two best – Jerry Blevins and Addison Reed.
Some might say that it’s only June and the Mets can rebound, but with the Mets seven games under .500 and the Nationals 16 over, this weekend’s games may prove to be the devastating blow.
The Mets have not led once this series. Not once. They have been outscored by Washington 22-9 in the three games and have not been able to solve the Rubik’s Cube that is being able to beat them in Flushing. Washington is 6-0 here.
And you know it’s pretty bad when you lose a game that saw Yoenis Cespedes and Jay Bruce go 7-for-9 with a solid start from Seth Lugo.
As the dog days of summer approach and the Mets fall deeper and deeper into despair, this weekend may signal the beginning of the end. A white flag. A tap out for a team that had great aspirations going into this season coming off back-to-back playoff appearances.
The Mets’ brass have to look in the mirror and seriously ask themselves if they think this season is salvageable. If not, they have to be sellers at the deadline, go back to the drawing board and regroup for 2018.
