Magic Numbers / Mets Baseball

For a while I've been wanting to write something up about the Mets. The thing is, I was actually at a loss of what to say, especially during the recent road trip. Luckily, my loss for words was and is for a good reason, rather than another losing season. The Mets have clinched their first winning season since 2008. Not only that, but at the moment, they're 6 games (yes, I know this number was larger before) ahead of the Nationals in 1st place with a magic number down to 8. As someone who's been watching this team through the bad and ugly times that came before this, winning right now feels so good. (Though I will say things have definitely been rough the last few games, especially as the issue of Matt Harvey's inning limit proves to not be ideal, but that's not what this post is about.)

Many believed that the 11-game win streak was a fluke at the beginning of the year when soon after the bats quieted down. This team is proving that it was no temporary thing right now. Comparing the lineup from then and today, it's drastically different. The lineup then was doing a good job at keeping the team in a good position throughout the season. It could have easily gone the opposite way. However, no they've gained reinforcements. Not only have they come from the team gaining players back from the DL, but they've also come from important and big moves made by GM Sandy Alderson. There have been plenty of moments that mattered throughout this year, but I wanted to touch on a few here.

Looking back at where this stretch of some great baseball, you have to start with the first trade made by Sandy Alderson. The acquisition of Kelly Johnson and Juan Uribe helped to fortify some holes in the lineup in late July, but now have moved into playing important bench roles and occasional platoons in order to rest other players.

Shortly after Alderson made that move, he was on the verge of making another. Wilmer Flores and Zack Wheeler came very close to being traded for Carlos Gomez from the Brewers. The trade that caused an emotional Wilmer Flores on the field that night eventually wasn't completed due to the issue the Mets had with Gomez's medical records... and thankfully so. That night proved to be a tough one for Flores as the Mets are the one team he's ever known being drafted at the young age of 16. It also showed that information is spread incredibly fast today and that can have a negative effect. But what it also showed, and probably most importantly, was that the players of this team love playing for the Mets. They're passionate about it. That energy fuels the rest of the team, as well as the fans. Not to mention the fact that besides Wilmer Flores being emotional, Zack Wheeler also called Sandy Alderson before the deadline to say that if possible, he would love to stay with the Mets instead of being part of a possible trade. That says something to the fans.

Only two days later, Flores was in the lineup again after being given a day off to relax after the rollercoaster night that happened. The Mets were tied at 1 with the Nationals and headed to the 12th at Citi Field. Up to leadoff the inning was none other than Wilmer Flores. On the third pitch of the at bat, he hit one to the Party City Deck to end the ballgame. What was a crazy few days for him ended on such a great high note. There's a reason why things don't work out sometimes.

Earlier on that same day was the trade deadline. Fans waited anxiously to see if Sandy Alderson was going to make the big move before time ran out. He didn't let them down. July 31, the Mets acquired Yoenis Cespedes from the Detroit Tigers for two prospects, Michael Fulmer and Luis Cessa. At the time, the move was a big one, but looking back on it now makes it appear to be even bigger than it was first thought to be. The acquisition of Cespedes has lifted this team to such an extent over the past month and a half. He's practically carried the team on his shoulders during some of the games. It seems that he's always in a situation to get a big hit. And although he cooled down for a short period recently, he seems to get the big hits the team needs. He's a huge piece to add and it's paying off.

The Captain coming back after missing a large amount of the season was certainly a moment fans loved to see, and similar to how he's done it before, he came back with a bang, hitting one out at Citizen's Bank Park. Not only has he been hitting, he's also been going to left field, an area where he thrives. Lots of people worried if he would be able to hit with power and to the opposite field like before, and he has shown that he can, so that's good to see. It's not only important to have him on the field and in the batter's box. David Wright has a presence in the clubhouse. There's a reason why he's the Captain of this team and it certainly is good to have him back.

Though their comeback streak has been stopped for a few games now, there still is that thought in every fan's head that says, "You know what, we have a chance at coming back to win this game." There's that confidence and belief in this team from the fans that keeps them watching every game. Yes, certain losses are brutal to watch and they may not be able to come back, but fans are sticking with them and sticking it out. A bad game isn't the end of the world. They're going to happen for every team. 

People often think that the Mets are easy to talk down about. Or, that they don't play well against "real" teams. Guess what, every team in the MLB is a professional team. Some play better than others, but they're all legit teams. They have the pitching and they have the hitting, too. Every team also has players that their teams ride on offensive days, but these wins aren't necessarily relying on these guys to come through. Every player hits a slump at some point. No one is ever hot for the entire season. Does it help when they're all hot at once? Hell yeah it does. But wins don't rely on the long ball. You have to play fundamental baseball, manufacture runs, string together base hits, and along with good pitching, that'll win you ballgames.

Media thinks that the fans have "lost faith" or don't believe in the team anymore. That is so far from the truth for many. This pennant race is what fans have been waiting for, and I think I speak for the majority when I say we're ready to see this team win and return to the postseason, and from player interviews, they sure are, too.

If you're a Mets fan, I highly recommend watching this video. It's an Amazin' one: "Right Now" | 2015 New York Mets Postseason Push

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