NEW YORK — Entering this final week of the season, you figured the Mets needed to win all seven of their remaining games to reach the postseason. They don’t have any room for error, and they need help from other teams.
The home stretch began with a 2-1 loss to the Rays (36-19), who have the best record in the American League. At this point, the Mets’ season is on life support. Barring a miracle, it appears they’ll be sitting out October for the fourth consecutive year.
Jacob deGrom, pushing for a third consecutive National League Cy Young Award, tried his best to carry the Mets (24-30). His teammates, facing a bullpen game from Tampa Bay, remained silent for most of Monday night’s game at Citi Field.
This is a common narrative: Mets hitters can’t provide run support on deGrom days.
The Mets had broken it lately, though.
In a span of two deGrom starts, the offense scored 32 runs. In the ace’s next outing, he left after two innings due to injury, but his teammates rallied for a comeback victory.
New York Mets starting pitcher Jacob deGrom (48) pitches against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning at Citi Field.
That’s the magic the Mets need in this final week.
They need to find it, and they need others above them in the standings to lose. Their season seems all but officially over, though they aren’t mathematically dead just yet.
———
©2020 The Record (Hackensack, N.J.)
Visit The Record (Hackensack, N.J.) at www.NorthJersey.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.