MILWAUKEE — Given the ups and downs of the Mets' season, it's no surprise that extras are on the rise.
Twenty-eight of the 30 teams have played regular-season games, but the Mets finally defeated their new arch-rival here on Sunday before heading on a two-game-a-day home trip to Atlanta to take on the arch-rival Braves.
The Mets' road trips have been a nightmare this year, and returning to their weakest city hasn't helped, from back-to-back games in St. Louis between the waves on the West Coast to this week's hurricanes in Atlanta.
“It's not surprising how this season ended,” Brandon Nimmo said. “Sure, something strange happened.”
The itinerary is tricky because if he does qualify, he would have to get on a plane the next day and play his first playoff game on the road.
But this is the position they want and exactly what they deserve. It is enough to win one of the two games to qualify for October.
Sunday's 5-0 win was a blessing in disguise, as it was the first win on a trip from hell that had already seen three losses and two games postponed due to Hurricane Helen. However, I also understand that the Mets fought back from an 0-5 start, were under .500 in 11 games, and set an MLB record for the stretch run of 100 games to get to this position. I want it.
Say what you want, but they earned this seat. Now all they have to do is win a match in a location they don't like, and then just play four more rounds, all with records and locales that could put them at a disadvantage.
“It's going to be a difficult job,” JD Martinez said. “We have to suck it up and get through it.”
The Mets' relatively small but vocal cheering squad showed why they are one of 13 teams still hoping to win the Grand Prix. Rising star David Peterson pitched brilliantly, and Mets MVP Francisco Lindor defied lingering back pain to pitch three scoring innings, including a walk, a stolen base, and a run scored in the first inning. He came out and set the tone he needed.
No matter how bad this trip went, the Mets looked relaxed in a game they needed to win to have a good chance. With a final win here and their first win against the pesky Brewers, the Mets only need to split. In a season with dual personalities, that seems quite possible.
The Mets found their best game in this game, playing against one of the better teams. Coach Carlos Mendoza's message was to have fun, play with a smile and know it's in your hands.
Those words resonated with me. The Mets played loose and easy, giving a team a hard time, which is becoming a perennial problem.
“We can't put pressure on ourselves. I've been saying that ever since we were the worst and everyone was looking down on us… There's no pressure on us. We should not be here,” Martinez said.
(Author's Note: Just about everyone is. I'm one game away from taking credit, but I wrote on May 18th, midway through the worst period, that they were going to make the playoffs. )
“We didn't get here and suddenly we put pressure on ourselves,” Martinez continued. “This team will only play better.” [this] Well, we're just having fun, fooling around with everyone, listening to Iggy's OMG songs, making fun of him, and we're all having a good time. ”
The jaunt to Atlanta isn't exactly fun, but compared to what they've experienced, it's livable. I have high expectations for this too.
The Braves are great, but they're nothing like their usual self. Four of their biggest stars remain sidelined, playing cheap pickups in several spots.
Granted, the Mets' odds aren't bad at all.
“We have a chance. We're right there,” Mendoza said. “We need another one. That's why we feel good.”
Speaking of feeling good, so did the fans who were here to cheer on their heroes.
“Let’s go Mets,” they quickly chanted.
Then things got more concrete.
“Beat the Braves,” they sang.
Of course, it's no easy task. But things are feeling positive for this Mets team. They have Luis Severino and Tyler Megill either fully rested or ready to pitch in a fateful doubleheader.
Things are looking bright for the Queen's team, at least for one day. The schedule for October after that looks pretty risky. But who knows about this group? They are never predictable.
If they defeat the Braves, they will head to San Diego to face a Padres team that has had the best record in baseball over the last two months.
If we split up, we would return here and make the second round trip in two days. It's been a crazy year. If they endure all this journey and survive, it will be earned.
