New York Mets: Three reasons to stay optimistic about 2019

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PITTSBURGH, PA – AUGUST 02: Pete Alonso #20 of the New York Mets works on his bat during batting practice before the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on August 2, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)

An optimistic New York Mets fan is usually an oxymoron. However, a few factors should have you believe there’s a chance at the playoffs.

Left for dead weeks ago, the New York Mets are making like The Bride from Kill Bill and out for vengeance. They have about two months left to do so. In a quest to claim one of the two Wild Card spots, they have a long road ahead of them. Fortunately, there are reasons to believe this team can wake up for the stretch run.

A lot will need to get the Mets’ way for any shot at the postseason. Other Wild Card hopefuls will need to falter as they continue to win games. The odds are still stacked against them. However, it’s a much smaller stack than it was even at the All-Star Break.

How can the Mets pull off a playoff run? These three reasons should have you believing anything is possible.

Second Half Home Schedule

The Mets have a lot of home games coming up. In past years, this wouldn’t be such a good thing. However, in 2019, the Mets have made Citi Field a pleasurable place to play.

Through 48 home games, the team has won 28 in Flushing. It’s a stark contrast to past seasons where the ballpark has actually held them back. It was not uncommon to see a Mets starter deliver a quality outing only for the offense to slump the same night.

For as average of a team as the Mets may look at times look while at home, let’s also remember how poor others perform while on the road. It’s essential to use this schedule to their advantage. They cannot afford to lose any home series.

Things have been a little better this year. The offense, while not elite, has been far more clutch and productive. They are average or a little above most teams. With their starting rotation and a bullpen which looks like it has figured some things out, there’s no reason why they have to lose more gems by the starting five.

Speaking of, those Flushing Five are yet another reason why this team has a chance to play meaningful baseball through the end of September.