Michael Conforto is among the handful of Mets who actually remembers what it’s like to play in a big series for the team this late in the season.
There was the improbable push to the postseason in 2016, when the Mets won 27 of their final 40 games to secure a National League wild-card spot. But the 2017 and ’18 Mets imploded before the All-Star break and never recovered.
Now, here come the Nationals for three games beginning Friday, in the most anticipated August series at Citi Field in at least three seasons.
“I know the crowd is going to be crazy — we’re looking forward to that and looking forward to seeing this place packed and have that playoff atmosphere back,” Conforto said. “It’s been too long.”
Friday’s showdown with the Nationals will mark the home debut of Marcus Stroman, who arrived in a trade with Toronto on July 28. The Long Island native, whom sources said was initially disappointed he didn’t get traded to the Yankees or another more serious playoff contender than the Mets, pitched his first game for the club Saturday in Pittsburgh and received a no-decision after allowing three earned runs over 4 ¹/₃ innings. Stroman is no stranger to important late-season games, having pitched for Toronto teams that reached the ALCS in 2015 and ’16.
With 13 victories in 14 games, the Mets (59-56) are generating as much buzz as any team in baseball. But they have also fattened up against the Pirates, White Sox and Marlins — two last-place teams and another that has long been removed from playoff contention. The competition level will increase significantly Friday, with the Nationals (who sit atop the NL wild-card standings) in the house. The Mets were a half-game behind the Phillies and Brewers for the second wild card as Thursday’s play began.
Considering the Mets were 40-51 after losing in Miami on July 12 to begin the second half, the last month has been nothing short of magical for manager Mickey Callaway’s crew.
The Nationals over the last two-plus months have played to their preseason potential, after an awful start to the season accentuated by a brutal bullpen. The Nationals have continued their rise, even as ace Max Scherzer sits on the injured list, rehabbing from back tightness.
“The Nationals have a better team on the field than just about any club in the game,” a National League talent evaluator said. “But saying that, if I had to put my money on a team to go to the World Series in the National League, I would put it on the Mets.”
The evaluator pointed to a starting rotation that can potentially be baseball’s best over the home stretch as the reason for his confidence in the Mets.
Even without Scherzer, the series will feature quality pitching matchups: Stephen Strasburg is scheduled to face Stroman on Friday, with Patrick Corbin set to pitch against Noah Syndergaard a night later. Anibal Sanchez is scheduled against Jacob deGrom on Sunday. Still in play for both teams is the NL East — Atlanta began Thursday with a six-game lead on Washington. The Mets were 8 ½ games off the lead.
The Mets will head to Atlanta for three games beginning Tuesday, in yet another highly anticipated series.
“If [the Nationals] have a really good weekend, they are really on their way,” the evaluator said. “They are going to get Scherzer back soon and still have decent enough starting pitching and will be sailing. Atlanta could be caught. The Braves are not going to be easy to catch, but they are catchable relative to their schedule.
“They can come back to the pack, but it’s going to be tough because all three of the teams chasing them don’t have any margin for error. The Mets can’t afford to lose six of 10 or something like that, because that kills you. Same with any team chasing the Braves.”
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