It didn’t go the way of the Mets this past weekend in Atlanta. If “everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth” had a face – insert the Mets logo.
It wasn’t just the Braves sweeping the Mets to move into first place of the National League East division, it was how they did it.
This was total and complete domination. It was a message that you may have a plan, but right now, we’re better than you and your plan.
The plan for the Mets, on paper anyway, was a good one. Manager Buck Showalter had his best starting pitchers lined up: Jacob deGrom on Friday, Max Scherzer on Saturday, Chris Bassitt on Sunday.
This was supposed to be the showdown everyone was waiting for. Two teams, three games, winner of the series takes prime position for clinching the division title.
You put your best against my best, let’s go.
Well, see what had happened was…
Three games later — three frustrating losses later — the Mets find themselves in must-win territory. Furthermore, they’ll also need help if they have any hopes of winning the division.
Atlanta has a two-game lead with three regular-season games remaining.
That means the next Braves win or Mets loss will clinch a fifth-straight division title for the defending champions.
For the Mets, the math is no longer mathing. What felt so much like a sure thing earlier this season has become faded pictures in a broken glass.
The Mets have no one to blame for this except themselves
Yes, deGrom, Scherzer, and Bassitt didn’t hold up their respective ends of the deal this weekend. However, it’s more than just that.
It’s also the Mets blowing a 10 ½-game lead in the division. Their bats failed to produce offense at critical times.
The Mets dropped five of their last six games to the Braves in the season series. They were outscored by Atlanta, over that stretch, 42 to 19.
Speaking of the Braves, let’s not overlook how great of a team they are. They upped their play to extraordinary levels to catch and, eventually, jump the Mets in the division.
As SNY Mets field reporter Steve Gelbs accurately tweeted Sunday night, it was the Mets going 6-8 vs Washington, Miami, the Chicago Cubs and Oakland Athletics in September. All teams you’re supposed to beat if you have any serious intentions on clinching the division.
Yes, the Mets had their best arms lined up for Atlanta, however, it didn’t really have to come down to a lost weekend in the A’.
What’s next for the Mets is clear.
They’re going to the playoffs, most likely as a wild card team. It’s not what they wanted; however, this is where it’s at.
The path in October became more daunting with a likely wild card matchup with the San Diego Padres, a team the Mets dropped four out of six against during the regular season.
The focus must remain on the present. That means finishing the regular season strong against the Washington Nationals.
The thought of losing the division sucks, this team has thrived for most of 2022. The reality of the situation, however, is there’s no time to dwell on it.
Lessons were learned, humble pie was served, now it’s time to get back to work.
Because that’s what winners do.
Anthony Rushing is on Twitter @TonyRushingNY
Baseline Sports NY is on Twitter @Baseline_NY
