3 Mets discussions fans should put on hold and enjoy the present

3) The NL East standings are irrelevant to the Mets right now

When the Mets were cooking and the Philadelphia Phillies were slumping, some wondered if the impossible could happen. Was an epic collapse on the way for Philadelphia? They aren’t playing great baseball but neither are the Mets. 

The MLB season is a long one. With it come lengthy periods of success and failure. Many of the same people who were suggesting the Mets season was over back in May have shifted toward NL East standings watch.

Let’s save the NL East watch for when the Mets are actually a little closer. The Mets would have to go on a prolonged winning streak (again) with the Phillies dropping a whole lot more games (again) to make themselves relevant in what has been a long-dead divisional chase.

At what point is it fair to consider the Mets true NL East challengers? Let’s put it at 5 games out. A full business week of winning with the Phillies losing can turn the tide of their season.

Catching the Atlanta Braves was a big enough accomplishment for the Mets although one could argue they fell down more than we moved up. Let’s save the September schedule watching for when the distance is a little shorter or the Mets are at least back to playing consistent winning baseball.