Standings 2017

[Edgy MD]

Don't kid yourself. The Mets are poised to make a move. They'd already have done it if they would have taken care of business against Pittsburgh two nights ago.

But passing Pitt is big, because the sooner the Mets do it, the sooner the Pirates will be working for us, helping pick off Chicago, St. Louis, Cincinnati, and Milwaukee, instead of working against us.

Somehow, the Mets qualify as the hottest team in the division right now, but the only truly hot team in the league currently is Los Angeles. But they still can't catch Colorado, of all teams, who seems intent to stick around at the top of the league.

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[Edgy MD]

I lost my little logo icons. They resided on kcmets but I guess Kong took that folder down.

As you see, the Mets stand poised but vulnerable. If they can acquit themselves well in these next two series, they are in an excellent position to work their way forward over the summer, with the pack behind them helping them take down the leaders.

If not, they fall back into the pack and it could be weeks before they come up for air again.

Curious how much Baseball Prospectus data disregards Colorado's lofty position, and Milwaukee's persistent first-placin' as well, continuing to put their faith in Los Angeles and Chicago as the likely division champs.

Also, check out how bad Pythagoras thinks the Giants are.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Today is the first time I've checked this year, because I know the news isn't going to be particularly good, but Baseball Prospectus has the odds of the Mets making the postseason is 9.9%. 2.9% for a division title, 6.9% for a Wild Card. It's 6.3% to advance to the NLDS and 0.5% to win the World Series.

[Ceetar]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Today is the first time I've checked this year, because I know the news isn't going to be particularly good, but Baseball Prospectus has the odds of the Mets making the postseason is 9.9%. 2.9% for a division title, 6.9% for a Wild Card. It's 6.3% to advance to the NLDS and 0.5% to win the World Series.

If they push this winning streak to 11 expect that postseason chance to jump to 55 or so.

[Frayed Knot]

It helps that, while we were taking 3 of 4 from the Braves, the Nats were taking it on the chin from the Rangers, getting beat three straight at home.
Tanner Roark got roughed up on Friday; their bullpen sunk them on Saturday (gave up 2 in the 9th plus 3 more in the 11th); then Scherzer's gem got destroyed on Sunday by the pen when
the Rangers scored 4 times in the 8th on one hit.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Ceetar wrote: Benjamin Grimm wrote: Today is the first time I've checked this year, because I know the news isn't going to be particularly good, but Baseball Prospectus has the odds of the Mets making the postseason is 9.9%. 2.9% for a division title, 6.9% for a Wild Card. It's 6.3% to advance to the NLDS and 0.5% to win the World Series. If they push this winning streak to 11 expect that postseason chance to jump to 55 or so.

Easier said than done, of course, but yes, a sustained hot streak for the next week or two would improve their chances dramatically.

It's make-or-break time.

[Lefty Specialist]

It'd be good for them to be up to ramming speed when the Nats came to town. But if there's one thing this team has shown, it's the ability to fark up just when you think they're turned a corner. They lose 5 of the next 7, it's curtains.

[Centerfield]

Lead is down to 8.5 games. All we have to do is pick up one more game over the next two, and then sweep the Nats to pull within 3.5 games.

DO IT.

[Edgy MD]

Good news: Not a lot of teams between us and the rabbits.

Bad news: Those other teams are right with us, and the rabbits are getting away.

Beat the Dodgers. Yeah, even Kershaw.

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[Edgy MD]

As flaming hot as the Dodgers are, it's particularly sobering to realize they are underperforming their pythagorean projection.

The misadventures of the last couple of series dropped the Mets four full slots in the leaguewide standings. FOUR! Four teams passed them!

The good news is that the sweep of the Giants has the Mets back within a half game of three of them. Five weeks out from the trading deadline (minus whatever time is lost to the All Star Break) and with two of the league's weaker teams coming up, followed by three games in Washington, the time to get mean is now is now is now.

[Edgy MD]

Cole Porter was right. In time, the Rockies did crumble, which gives hope to fans of about six teams. But so far, only the Cards and the Mets have responded to a degree. Yay, Mets!

Boo, Cards!

Just look at those three teams all lined up just begging for the Mets to pass them this weekend.

[Frayed Knot]

Standings as of June 30, [u:1ttv2e9g]1973[/u:1ttv2e9g]

NYM: 32-39; last place 11 games out of 1st in the NL East
Cincy Reds: 39-37; 4th place 11 games out of 1st in the West

The Reds would go on to win 99 that year and we all know which teams met in the NLCS
Both teams had negative run differentials as the month of June ended.



Just sayin'

[Fman99]

Would love to see the good guys hop past Atlanta, St. Looie, and Titsburgh this weekend.

[Centerfield]

You know, if Colorado falls back to the pack...

[Frayed Knot]

Centerfield wrote: You know, if Colorado falls back to the pack...

That's the key here, that at least one of those three West teams had to fall back.
And while I'm not saying I saw this Rox skid coming, the fact that I've barely heard of any of their pitchers made me suspect they would be the logical one to not be able to keep it up over the full season.

[Edgy MD]

Yeah, it doesn't really matter. Being in the same division, playing each other, somebody has to lose.

There's enough time, that if a team keeps winning, they can catch somebody.

One day at a time, of course.

[Edgy MD]

Pittsburgh falls to the Giants, who are free to knock off anybody they wish, though it would be fun if a bunch of teams stuck around long enough to keep them from being too willing to give up relievers to the Nationals.

So the Mets at least catch the Pirates. They can catch and pass Atlanta in both the Wild Card and Eastern Division races if Oakland can overcome their 1-0 deficit with three innings to play.

[Edgy MD]

Oh, and Mike Foltynewicz is carrying a no-hitter into the bottom of the eighth.

[Edgy MD]

He walks leadoff batter Rajai Davis on four pitches, but gets through the next three on two strikeouts and soft liner to left.

On to the ninth.

[Edgy MD]

Braves add a pad of two runs in the top of ninth. Three more outs for Folty to pick up.

Matt Olson, Bret Lowrie, and Khris Davis due up.

[Edgy MD]

Crazy overshift against Olson.

BUNT, YOU FOOL!

[Edgy MD]

Or club a 3-2 homer to right. BINGO!

No no-hitter tonight! Braves go to the bullpen!

[Edgy MD]

Big Jim Johnson on for the Braves! Double by Lowrie! Tying run at the plate!

Strike three!

[Edgy MD]

Mets somehow pull back into a ties for third place tonight. Mets have a chance to grab second this weekend as Miami hosts Colorado.