Finally, a Good Sunday For the Mets

You take the good, you take the bad, you take them both and there you have the facts of life. What could the lyrics from a 1980s television show have to do with the New York Mets? Well, the facts of life and this iconic opening line apply to any Major League Baseball season. You have to take all of the good if you are a team like the Mets and endure some bad times over 162 games. Granted, their bad has been downright awful lately. However, on this Sunday, the Amazins had some good news on their side.

Let’s start with their game in the afternoon. Nolan McLean was outstanding once again, tossing six shutout innings, departing with a 2-0 lead. You knew that wouldn’t last, correct? The bullpen gave it up but managed to get the game to extra innings. Pete Alonso then delivered the most important hit of the season, a three run home run to propel New York the 5-2 victory. The win halted the club’s eight game losing streak and it could not come at a more opportune time. It is also the type of game they would have lost earlier this month. The second part of the Mets’ fabulous day was the fact that both the Cincinnati Reds and San Francisco Giants lost their respective finales. They are the two teams chasing New York for the final playoff spot. Cincinnati, who owns the tiebreaker between the teams, is now 2.5 games back and on a three game losing streak. The Giants are now 1.5 games behind, having lost their final two games against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Could the rally by the Mets today along with the good fortune of their competitors lose finally break this second half malaise?

Not so fast. The Arizona Diamondbacks, the team that sold a ton of talent at the deadline, have appeared in the rear view mirror. They have actually leapfrogged the Reds and are only two games out. But here, the Mets get more good news. The D’backs final four series are against the Giants, Phillies, Dodgers and Padres. They can’t possibly jump into the final spot, can they? Take the good, take the bad, take them both and there you have the final Wild Card spot.

Author: Tom Lynch

Family is everything to me. Baseball is a close second. What better way to combine my two favorite passions than to write about them! My three children each have a different baseball team, hence the title, "Three Unassisted". I write about not only my thoughts but also the musings of Ryan (Yankees), Caitlyn (Phillies) and Matthew (Mets). I may have grown up a Yankees fan but since family is greater than ball, I also root for the Phillies and Mets. I love talking about my kids. I love talking about baseball. That lethal combination will keep you coming back for more. Happy reading! View all posts by Tom Lynch