Well, that game stunk. Matthew lost faith quickly and though I tried to be positive, the effort seemed futile. The New York Mets dropped the first game of their critical three game series against the Atlanta Braves by a score of 5-1. Luis Severino did not have it, pitching with traffic all game and surrendering four runs in four innings. At one point, Mathew called him a bum, an understandable but clear overreaction to a guy who has given the Mets plenty of solid outings in 2024. With five games to go and the playoffs not a guarantee, can the Mets rebound one last time in 2024?

Despite being one game in front of the Braves, New York faces a daunting five days. First, they must find a way to beat the best pitcher in baseball on Wednesday. Chris Sale is 18-3 and on his way to the National League Cy Young Award. He faced the Mets once already this season, on July 25, pitching 7 1/3 innings and allowing two runs. The Mets would win in 10 innings by a score of 3-2. He has pitched 24 innings in September and has allowed only three earned runs. Yikes. If the Amazins’ can’t win on Wednesday, they will be tied with Atlanta going into Thursday’s game which, if the weather holds true, will be rained out. So that means they will be tied with the Braves heading into a weekend series in Milwaukee against the Central Division champion Brewers. Meanwhile, Atlanta gets to host the free-falling Kansas City Royals. If the two teams are tied for the final spot after Sunday, guess what? Game 163 against one another with a second showdown in five days with Chris Sale. Not appetizing to say the least.
If this is truly not the same old Mets, the Mets that would have been buried by July 1, then they will find a way to beat Chris Sale and the Braves to go back up by two games. Nothing about 2024 has screamed LOL Mets. At 11 games back they rallied, after the brutal loss on that August Sunday in San Diego, they dusted themselves off and kept winning. Even the recent injury to MVP candidate Francisco Lindor hasn’t slowed them down. However, should they fall short of the playoffs, this season will almost feel like a waste. It really would be the same old, LOL, lovable loser Mets. That’s not happening. I feel like the page truly has been turned for the organization with an owner that will spend money and stability at the top of the front office.
Prediction for Wednesday, September 25: New York Mets 6 Atlanta Braves 3
Discover more from Threeunassisted
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
