Image credit: Chris Simon
We are in the midst of one of the greatest seasons in New York Mets history; 97 wins that have produced memories to last well beyond this year.
On the flip side, many gut-wrenching losses have occurred over the past six months, including on a breezy Tuesday evening in September against the freakin’ Marlins. As much as these losses sting—especially this time of the year—that all goes out the window.
With seven games left to play, the Mets and Braves find themselves knotted even at 97-58, tied atop the NL East. Whatever happened thus far this season, forget about it. We’ve got a seven-game season to play before the postseason begins.
And this might be the most important “seven-game series” the Mets have played in since 2015. For the regular season, this is one of the most down-to-the-wire moments the Mets have ever found themselves in.
Lots can be said about how the Mets should have built a more significant lead, that they should have made more trades at the deadline, and so on. The excuses can fill an entire book if one wanted to go that route. But again, none of that matters now.
In fact, scoreboard watching is somewhat of a moot point as well. With three of the Mets’ final seven games coming against the Braves, all the Mets have to do is win. To quote the late Al Davis, “Just win, baby!”
Image credit: Roberto Carlo
Just win. The Mets have a chance for one more win before they fly south to Atlanta, where at least one victory will secure the division tiebreaker in the Mets’ favor should the standings require that.
But picking up two—or dare we say it, three—wins in Atlanta? Champagne showers may be in store for the Mets next week. The point is, don’t worry about the Braves until it comes time to play them. And when that series comes along, do what the Mets have done more than a handful of times already this year: show Atlanta who really is the supreme team in the East in 2022.
Here’s a time when I’ll give the Braves their due credit. They simply cannot seem to lose, keeping ground with the Mets for the past several months after falling behind by as many as 10 1/2 games earlier this year. The reigning World Champions are a feisty ballclub with a knack for winning when it counts, but quite frankly, the Mets have pulled out wins from their own back pockets time and time again as well.
To call this Mets-Braves series this weekend one of the most important regular-season series in recent baseball history would not be an understatement. The outcome of the series may very well impact how baseball’s 2022 postseason plays out because whoever wins this division is set up for a deep run into October and November.
I also must acknowledge that, yes, if the Mets have to settle for the Wild Card, it’s not the end of the season. They’d still be in a prime position to win a three-game series in front of an insanely loud Citi Field crowd, and from there, anything can happen. But obviously, winning the division is by far the ideal path toward a championship.
So here’s my final speech to Mets fans. Forget about everything that has happened since April. Forget about the managerial decisions not made and the injuries that unfortunately did occur.
Hindsight is 20/20, but in September 2022, none of that now matters. Finish with a better record than the Braves over the next week and then we can all look back on these amazing memories that have defined this season.
Beat Miami, then take care of business in Atlanta. The goal is simple; the goal has always been simple.
Win. And of course, #BeatAtlanta.
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