It’s amazing how one 1-11 stretch can ruin an entire 162-game season.
Before the All-Star break, the Mets were a mere 4.5 games behind the first-place Nationals in the NL East. Now, they’re 12.5 games out. They have also fallen 9 games back of a wildcard berth. Just like that, after a span of 2 short weeks, a large measure of hope has been drained from the 2012 season.
This past week, the Mets had a relatively successful west coast road trip, going 6-5. They took 3 out of 4 from a tough Giants team (but predictably lost 2 of 3 from an awful Padres team). Still, you’d take that 9 out of 10 times.
However, following the 12-game stretch that occurred after the All-Star break (which included an 0-6 homestand), playing just a few games over .500 won’t cut it anymore. The Mets need to get on a nice, long winning streak, or at least a stretch of games where they are a good 5-7 games over .500, or else the dog days of August are going to be a tougher slog than usual.
This season was always a rebuilding year, whether the front office used those words or not. The word “rebuilding” can be box office poison for a sports franchise, especially one located in New York. Playing the kind of competitive baseball the Mets did in the first half sure made this season fun. But those 12 little games may have inexorably changed the complexion of the season.
It was always about the future, but playing meaningful games in the present was nice while it lasted.
5 comments
SaltyGary
8/6/2012-2:04pm at 2:04 pm (UTC -4)
It was nice while it lasted. They can start by DFA’ing Bay. Sunk cost and automatic out.
srt
8/6/2012-2:05pm at 2:05 pm (UTC -4)
Lately we always seem to tank coming out of the ASB. Have no idea why.
First half was fun while it lasted. I think we’ll be doing good if we play .500 ball second half. That should put us in line to finish overall at about .500. Better than I predicted.
Goes w/o saying though I’d love nothing more than to see them go on a tear right now – nice long winning streak.
darknova306
8/6/2012-2:40pm at 2:40 pm (UTC -4)
Well, they’ve got a stretch coming up with 4 against Colorado, 3 against Houston, 3 in Philly, and 3 in Miami. If there’s any realistic chance of them rattling off a nice winning streak, that’s it. That won’t happen, though, as the smoke has dissipated and the mirrors are broken.
If they play at a pace of 2 games over .500 each month the rest of the way like they did before July, that puts them at .500 on the year. That’s a successful 2012 season to me.
NJstuckinTX
8/6/2012-2:24pm at 2:24 pm (UTC -4)
Really, 6-5 is not something to be happy with. 7-4 is a must, and pretty much will have to be along those lines if they wish to make a run.
But I’m with Salty in thinking they aren’t going to be getting 7-4′s for the rest of the season.
gategem
8/6/2012-3:47pm at 3:47 pm (UTC -4)
“The word “rebuilding” can be box office poison for a sports franchise, especially one located in New York.”
This is a problem in any location where there are excellent entertainment options available. However, New York is a problem because you have the most successful franchise in the history of baseball playing opposite you, as well as the Broadway stage, outstanding beaches, etc.
“the dog days of August are going to be a tougher slog than usual.”
For the players maybe it will be but for the rest of us there is always the NFL.