Can the Mets Finally Exorcise Their Atlanta Braves Demons?
After Years of Heartache, the Mets Seek Redemption Against Atlanta
It all comes down to this.
Three games in Atlanta, a city where the Mets have historically struggled. Win two out of three and the Mets are headed to the playoffs.
They have a chance to erase the ghosts of 2022, when a Mets team that led the NL East all season collapsed down the final stretch, getting swept by Atlanta in September.
They can also bury the memories of the late '90s Mike Piazza-era Mets when Atlanta dominated the division with 14 consecutive titles.
The Mets have an opportunity to show that this year is truly different. Mets fans no longer have to brace for the inevitable collapse.
This season has had a special feel to it. From Jorge Lopez tossing his glove into the stands, to Grimace, to Hawk Tuah, to OMG, it’s been a wild ride.
Since May 30, the Mets have posted a league-best 65-36 record. They’ve dominated at home too, going 33-12 in their final 45 games at Citi Field.
For two-thirds of the year, they’ve been playing like the best team in baseball. They are for real, but I can’t help but feel a sense of anxiety as we head into this Atlanta series; it’s ingrained in me as a Mets fan.
The Mets will send out their three most reliable starters this season: Luis Severino, David Peterson, and Sean Manaea. They opted for the higher-upside choice in Peterson over José Quintana, who has been outstanding with over 20 consecutive scoreless innings.
I agree with their decision, Quintana relies on contact and has had difficulties against Atlanta, I prefer having Peterson’s strikeout capability on the mound.
Atlanta will be starting Spencer Schwellenbach, Chris Sale, and Max Fried. Schwellenbach was dominant against the Mets on July 27th, throwing seven scoreless innings with 11 strikeouts. Sale is a frontrunner for the Cy Young, and Fried is consistently a challenging pitcher to face. This series is going to be tough.
One important factor to consider: a hurricane is approaching Atlanta and is expected to make landfall by Thursday, putting the series finale in serious jeopardy.
This could disrupt the Mets' plans since their top starter, Manaea, is scheduled to pitch that day. If the finale gets postponed, it will also complicate the Mets' chances of clinching.
One possibility is to play on Monday if the game still has significance. While it's not an ideal solution, it’s essentially the only option available. The NL Wild Card series begins on Tuesday, so if that game is necessary, the winner won’t have any days off before heading into the playoffs.
Hopefully, the game won’t mean anything for the Mets.
Another challenge for the Mets is the uncertainty surrounding Francisco Lindor's return to the lineup for this series. Reports indicate he has tested his back with baseball activities before recent games but hasn’t appeared very comfortable. According to Andy Martino, the Mets haven’t completely ruled out Lindor for the start of the series in Atlanta, but their hopes are low. As one source put it, “It would take a miracle” for the shortstop to be ready by Tuesday.
If you heard Lindor's remarks after the game on Sunday night, they didn’t inspire much confidence. He mentioned he’s “optimistic” about returning this season, but that’s not a definitive yes. Initially, he indicated he could be out for 2-5 games, and clearly, we’ve surpassed that timeline.
The Mets can certainly win without Lindor, as evidenced by their 6-1 record during their recent homestand. Luisangel Acuña has stepped up impressively in Lindor’s absence. Still, it would be ideal for the team to have their MVP candidate back in the lineup.
One positive aspect is that the Mets have established a bit of a cushion thanks to their strong stretch of play. They’re currently a half-game ahead of Arizona, so it doesn’t have to be a choice between the Mets or Atlanta making the playoffs; both could make it.
But that’s not how I want to qualify.
I want the Mets to clinch by defeating Atlanta in their stadium. I want to witness the Mets avenge the disappointments of 2022 and seek retribution for 1999. I want them to finally exorcise their Atlanta demons once and for all.
Since the beginning of June, the Mets have consistently risen to the occasion, meeting every challenge head-on. Their final regular season challenge is to win two games in Atlanta.
It’s time for an exorcism.
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