Instead of simply making a decision to move up Wednesday’s game to an earlier start time (even if the morning was the only option), move the two games to a neutral site, or deciding on something that was at least understandable considering the circumstances in advance, they allowed the clubs to inject their obvious bias into the conversation for far too long and now both have to settle for a ridiculous doubleheader on Monday, when it may not matter for one or both clubs in one way or another.
Both teams will have to make big pitching decisions between now and Monday. They will need to inject fresh arms, likely option players they don’t want to option as a result, and potentially pitch pitchers on short rest in the playoffs, should one or both even get there.
It’s a bad deal, and something that was controllable for both in an uncontrollable weather situation.
But, it is what it is now.
For the Mets specifically, it’s onto Milwaukee and at this point, That is now their biggest series of the year. They are very fortunate to be playing a Brewers club who will likely win the third seed in the National League, thereby having nothing really to play for other than playing their part in the wild card race and simply not rolling over.
But they won’t do that in lieu of resting their players as-needed. That’s not to say this weekend for the Mets will be easy. It won’t - the Brewers are a good team, the Mets haven’t really played well there in recent years, and certainly didn’t play well against them in the opening series of the season, way back in March.
So, the Mets have their work cut out for them in what has now become a far more complicated path to the playoffs. Winning on Tuesday night in Atlanta would’ve made this situation much easier to navigate.
Having said that, there are simple terms here for the Mets.
Its all about magic numbers and the amount of schedule left.
In case you don’t know, a magic number is calculated by any combination of wins from Team X and losses from Team Y. It’s the number of games left to play, plus 1 to account for a tiebreaker if it applies, minus the difference in the loss column. If it becomes 0, or 1 with the tiebreaker in hand, Team X will clinch a playoff spot against Team Y.
Their magic number for the Mets against the Diamondbacks is 4. It would be 5, but the Mets have the tiebreaker against them thanks to that big win in the final game of their series in Arizona in August. All that means is, any combination of four Mets wins OR Diamondbacks losses would prevent Arizona from overcoming the Mets, thereby clinching a playoff spot. So, if the Mets win two games this weekend, and the Diamondbacks lose two games, the Mets will clinch a playoff spot.
If that scenario plays out, it lessens the stress on Monday’s doubleheader for them. It becomes a matter of seeding - having a seat at the table is really all that matters at that point on the schedule in that case.
In addition, the Mets magic number against the Braves is 5. Right now, the Mets do not have the tiebreaker against the Braves thanks to their loss against them on Tuesday, although they could still win a tiebreaker against them if they sweep their doubleheader on Monday. But, if the Mets sweep the Brewers, and the Braves lose two out of three to the Royals, the Mets will clinch a playoff spot against the Braves. That wouldn’t necessarily eliminate Atlanta, but it would unquestionably lessen the stress on the Mets on Monday.
The best case for both the Mets and Atlanta is they take care of business this weekend with sweeps, and San Diego sweeps Arizona. That would end Arizona’s season and cancel the doubleheader on Monday.
But neither team can bank on that scenario playing out.
All they can do is take care of their own business. In the Mets case, they need to simplify this process as well, understand that this isn’t necessarily about the Braves exclusively, and do their part to make Monday either an impossible situation for the Braves, that doubleheader mean more to the Braves than it does to them, and/or do their part to eliminate the doubleheader altogether.
Eyes on the prize.
That prize is a playoff spot, whether Atlanta is in or out.
It is just embarrassing and frustrating. The Mets just can't get it right. I know Mets can't win every game; no team can. But at least put up a fight and lose with dignity. This team is so inconsistent it is hard to fully cheer for them. Will see what happens with these three games. As much as I love the Mets and wish him the best, I just don't see them winning. Again, too inconsistent both in pitching and batting. LGM!!
It is just embarrassing and frustrating. The Mets just can't get it right. I know Mets can't win every game; no team can. But at least put up a fight and lose with dignity. This team is so inconsistent it is hard to fully cheer for them. Will see what happens with these three games. As much as I love the Mets and wish him the best, I just don't see them winning. Again, too inconsistent both in pitching and batting. LGM!!