Published: September 20, 2016

The Mets were rolling after sweeping the Twins at home and finally claiming the top wild card spot and a one game lead over the San Francisco Giants. Fans were likely feeling confident going into last night’s game against the Atlanta Braves. The Mets’ ace, Noah Syndergaard, was set to pitch against one of the worst teams in the baseball, it seemed like a sure fire win.

The Mets lost 7-3 and Syndergaard didn’t even reach the 4th inning, giving up 5 runs before exiting the game. After the game Syndergaard said “Baseball is a funny game. You think you have it figured out, and it’ll knock you down.” That’s why you play the games and that’s why the fans and the players need to remember to take these last twelve games one game at a time. The Mets are only one game ahead of the Giants and the St. Louis Cardinals after last night.

But it’s not time to panic yet after just one loss. The team seems to play hard for their manager, Terry Collins, and the Cardinals and Giants haven’t exactly been playing great baseball this season. If the Mets manage to make the playoffs despite the injuries that have plagued the team it would be a miracle. The manager’s confidence in the team’s young ace hasn’t wavered either. “He’s our guy,” Collins said. “If there’s a big game to be pitched, he’s the guy you’re going to turn to.” The Mets will need Syndergaard to be the reliable pitcher he has been most of this season if they intend to make the playoffs and actually make a deep run in the postseason.