Mets Face Brutal Stretch

Thank goodness the Reds were in a tailspin when they visited Flushing or this situation would be even uglier. Here’s the scary thing: the next 25 games may be the Mets’ most difficult stretch of the season.

Split with Toronto. Swept by the Braves. Lost two of three to the Brewers. Sweep of Cincinnati. Swept by the Cubs. And now comes the hard part:

3 games vs. Dodgers in LA
3 games vs. Giants in SF
3 games vs. Diamondbacks at home
3 games vs. Cardinals in St. Louis
3 games vs. Nationals in WA
4 games vs. Dodgers at home
3 games vs. Padres at home
3 games vs. Nationals at home

Now that you’ve looked at the Mets’ next 25 games, go back up to the top of the list and read it again. Are you ill?

Previously, the Mets were getting beat by good teams but beating up on bad teams. More recently, the Mets have been getting beat by good teams, beat by mediocre teams, and barely sliding by bad teams (for those who were blinded by the Steven Matz debut, the Mets could have very easily lost two of three to a bad Reds team last weekend).

Previously, the Mets were getting beat by all teams on the road but beating most teams at home. More recently, they are getting beat no matter where they play.

Keeping these points in mind, look a third time at this next 25-game stretch. Did you get ill again?

The Dodgers, Giants, Cardinals, and Nationals are all very good teams. The Mets are playing all of them in their opponents’ parks. It could be argued that the Padres and Diamondbacks are better than the Mets right now (though that could change by the time the Padres come to New York — they could be sellers in the next few weeks). Things are not looking good for the Mets, who, as of the last several weeks, are not hitting, not fielding, not practicing ideal fundamentals, not healing, and not winning.

MAYBE David Wright will make a miraculous recovery and be back in uniform, but it’s unlikely he’ll be in a Mets uniform before this 25-game stretch is over. Even if he is, will he alone save the club?

The other night, working with a short bench, Terry Collins had Jacob deGrom and Steven Matz prepared to pinch-hit. Collins said “It would have been a huge risk, but if there was an emergency situation…”

Wait, what? Terry, the team is spinning out of control and about to face the most brutal part of the schedule — if THIS isn’t an “emergency situation” then what is? Further, what in the world is the “risk” in using your better hitters (who just happen to be pitchers)? Is the risk that a pitcher gets hurt while hitting or running the bases and then can’t go on the mound? Seriously? This seems odd to me because the Mets have reached a point where the pitching doesn’t matter any more, no matter how fantastic it is. Mets pitching is giving up one or two runs a game and they’re losing because the offense is not scoring at all. What would be the difference of losing 5-0 instead of 1-0? Either way it’s a loss. Runs need to go up on the board, one way or another.

What’s your thought on what’s been happening, and what’s about to happen over the next 25 games? Is your view optimistic or pessimistic? At this point, do you believe there is a player or players that the Mets can add to change what’s happening, or is it too late? Post your notes in the comments.

Also, Happy 4th!