Mets Season On the Line?

The Mets had a somewhat mediocre run during an "easy" part of their schedule. Now, they are in the midst of ten games against the Orioles, Padres, and Diamondbacks. They started the run down 1.5 games when they easily could have been up by that much.

And, the Phils did not help them much when they played the Braves. The Mets did win two of three (both in the ninth inning) against the Orioles and started a four-game series versus the Padres on a good foot. It did take four innings of pen. 

They had a bad game last night. First of all, facing someone who owned them for a few games now (including in the 2022 playoffs), they had two base runners. Second, before being knocked out by getting his hand hit by the ball, Blackburn did not have a good night. This led to a lot of booing. 

So it goes with Mets Twitter. Still, let us remember his role was to be an extra starter, the plan being to go with a six-man rotation when Senga (the ace) came back. Senga was hurt in the first game back and is now out for the year. 

Blackburn did fine in such a role, Other than a game against his old team, he had three good games (if against not great teams). This included giving them that essential length -- six innings each time.

Yesterday was a game you expected to lose. The Padres are very good. The starter owns the Mets. You aren't going to sweep a four-game series. 

You honestly would settle for a split though given the spot the Mets put themselves that would be problematic. The Nats winning one game versus the Braves this weekend would be about as much as you expected. The Mets are 2.5 games back now. 

(The Phils and Nats -- in the 10th -- again did not do the Mets any favors. But, you have to win your own battles. The mediocrity that is MLB -- other than a few teams -- cannot be relied upon to help.) 

Yes, it would have been nice if Blackburn didn't set up the team to lose in two innings and then get hurt in the third. The "B" team pen -- three pitchers -- basically did their job, only giving up a couple runs. There was no offense. The game was lost either way.

Yes, this way was more embarrassing but a loss is a loss. You have to be philosophical about these things. And, no, I am not always consistent about that.

Still, an honest, half-way informed Mets fan figured yesterday was a long shot. Today, with currently reliable David Peterson and your "A" pen rested, is a must win. Then, you somehow hope to steal Sunday's game, though Mr. Q. of late has not been good. 

ETA: The starters did well in the other two games. The offense did well in one. Not enough offense to avoid the bullpen blowing the game on Sunday. 

2.5 back.