On June 30, the Mets faced a daunting 28 games through August 2.
They were staring at a four-game series against the Cubs, then a west coast trip to play the Dodgers and Giants, then the high-octane Diamondbacks before the All-Star break.
They opened the second half with a series against the Cardinals in St. Louis, followed by a three-game series against the Nationals in Washington, then a ten-game homestand against the Dodgers, Padres and Nationals.
The Mets had a fragmented and unbalanced roster a month ago – and really two weeks ago – filled with more part-time players than regular, everyday players. They also were dealing with tremendous underperformance from key cogs in Michael Cuddyer and Lucas Duda. There was also the fact they had to play three division leaders and one wild card leader on the road, something which is difficult to do by default aside from the fact the Mets have stunk on the road in 2015.
Don’t forget one of the most bizarre and emotional ten-day stretches on their most recent homestand, during which previous Mets teams could have easily crumbled under.
Yet somehow, the Mets emerged from this 28-game stretch 15-13, that with losing four at home to the Cubs to open this stretch. And, they gave away at least two games during this span.
They certainly did not knock the cover off the ball, at least until recently anyway. They hit .233/.296/.670 during those 28 games, hitting 29 home runs with 233 strikeouts with only 78 walks while averaging 3.46 runs scored per game.
But the Mets did have some real good pitching during that span, proving time and time again they can play with the big boys in the league.
The Mets pitching staff posted a 2.72 ERA during those 28 games against most of the elite teams in the National League. Mets pitchers did a great job of limiting base runners and limiting the home run ball during this stretch, which is particularly impressive considering the firepower they faced. They allowed only 210 hits, 75 walks and 24 home runs with 239 strikeouts in 261 total innings, allowing only 3.14 runs per game over those 28 games.
It was unquestionably the Mets biggest test of the year, and they really passed with flying colors, demonstrating they’re very much for real and can play with the top-tiered teams in the National League.
Ironically enough, the Mets embark on a very light schedule the rest of the way. Entering play on Monday against the Marlins, the combined winning percentage of their opponents over their final 57 games is only .477. They play only four teams currently over .500: the Pirates, Orioles, Nationals and Yankees. They only play five games against teams over .500 through the rest of August, and nine in September, a total of 57 games beginning on Monday night against the Marlins in Miami.
They played 13 of their last 16 games against teams over .500.
In other words, the Mets have a very real opportunity to get to the playoffs when their roster and remaining schedule are taken into consideration.
According to Baseball Prospectus, the Mets now have a 43.6 percent chance to win the division, and a 49.3 percent chance to make the postseason.
That’s up from about 24 percent just a week ago.
What a difference a week and more big league players make for the New York Mets.
Just Mets 