3 huge obstacles that could prevent a World Series run

For most New York Mets fans, the 2022 season has gone as well as can be expected. Sure there have been a few hiccups and bumps, but compared to what we’ve been used to over the last few years, I’m sure most fans would have signed on for what we’ve experienced so far.

With that said there are a few potential roadblocks for the rest of the season. Some of these are internal and some are external. Here are 3 things that may stop the Mets from lifting the World Series trophy this season.

1) The Mets old nemesis, the Atlanta Braves

The Mets have spent most of the 2022 season alone in first place, but fans of the Amazins have seen this movie before. Early season lead, only to hit a summer slump and be left in the dust by the time fall rolls around.

What seemed like an insurmountable lead at times of close to double digits, is now down to a lead that can be counted on one hand. Last year's world champion Braves won’t go quietly into the night.

The shrinking lead is more a reflection on the Braves than the Mets. The Braves just happened to go 21-6 in the month of June, good for the second best in baseball. The boys in orange and blue went 13-12 in June, not great, but hardly as bad as we’ve seen in recent years from the Mets.

July has left the teams evenly matched, with the Braves holding a 15-8 record, while the Mets are close behind with a 14-8 mark. The remaining schedule should favor the Mets, whose remaining schedule ranks the 23rd hardest, while Atlanta holds the 14th toughest.

The thing most likely to determine the NL East champ, whoever comes out on top in the season series, with the teams playing each other 12 more times before the regular season closes.

3) Maybe the Amazins oldest friend, the injury bug

Another yearly Mets nemesis, the injury bug. The Amazins position players have fared ok with avoiding injuries, with Pete Alonso, Francisco Lindor, Brandon Nimmo and Eduardo Escobar having been in the lineup almost every day.

Where the Mets have been hit hardest however is injuries to their pitching. Max Scherzer missed almost two months, while Jacob DeGrom has yet to throw an inning in the big leagues this year, but should be back soon.

Tylor Megill has also missed time, as has Trevor May coming out of the bullpen. The Mets have already added depth position players for the stretch run with Daniel Vogelbach and Tyler Naquin.

We’ve all seen the story before of key Mets players going down at the worst possible time. The team this year at leasts seems to be preparing somewhat for possible injuries, through trade acquisitions to bolster the bench.

Despite the struggles the team has had and will go through this season, with their core of talented players and an experienced manager like Buck Schowalter at the helm, they are set up to be in a good position come playoff time.