Well, the Mets are at it again. After attending the double-header split on Saturday and watching that gut-wrenching loss on Sunday, I was ready for the Mets to pull one of their 2008 patented comeback-after-demoralizing-loss wins.
No such luck. Pedro Martinez has shown once again, that he has lost it. He’s had an awesome career, but it’s clearer than ever that it is over. He has yet to show that he can enter a game and take command right away. It seems like every time he steps in the first inning, he has no control, velocity, or bite on his breaking pitches. He is simply unable to fool major league hitters, a group which evidently now includes Anderson Hernandez.
The Mets offense, which had been bailing out the starters and pen for the past week or so decided not to show up today. David Wright, who at times this season has been accused of being unclutch, grounded into a double play with the bases loaded to take the Mets out of a prime scoring opportunity (the second time such an event occured in the past three days).
So once again, the Mets find themselves unable to avoid the September Swoon. Their lead is now down to a mere half-game, and with the Phillies’ schedule decidedly easier than the Mets (no winning teams to play, and they have another day off coming up) the lead looks even smaller.
I still believe the Mets will be in the post-season, though I’m less confident it will be as a division winner.
Here’s the thing, as bad as weel feel about the way the Mets have playing, they are still in the lead of the NL East. Whether its 17 games or 1/2 a game, they are in the lead.
Seasons are not won and lost in the last week(s)… that’s just where the numbers become final. This team has played close to .600 ball since Manuel was put in place, and .500 ball before that. That first part of the season is where they lost it (if they lose it), and the 2nd part is where they won it (if they win it).
Its not all doom and gloom… that’s what Atlanta fans are feeling.