The Mets accidentally woke up the Phillies who’ve passed them in the NL East standings

The Philadelphia Phillies reached rock bottom last week against the New York Mets. Three losses in a row on the road looked like the potential end to their chances. Sound familiar? It’s kind of like what the Mets are going through right now.

After getting smacked around with the brooms, the Phillies lost the following night to the Washington Nationals. They’ve taken off since with two wins against the Nationals, a sweep of the Detroit Tigers on the backs of their pitching, and one versus the Los Angeles Dodgers.

It’s easy to say the Phillies have been fortunate to have such a soft schedule. But let’s recall how the Nationals and Tigers manhandled the Mets back in May. You can only play who’s on your schedule. The Phillies have taken advantage of some jobbers. The Mets failed to do so.

The NY Mets are closer to the last-place Nationals than the second-place Marlins right now

Some salt in the wound, the 30-34 Mets are now closer to the 25-37 Nationals than they are to even the second-place Miami Marlins with a 35-29 record. The Phillies, a game and a half better than the Mets at 31-32, are getting closer to the coveted .500 mark. The seven-game losing streak for the Mets has flushed away all of those good feelings we had after they completed their sweep of the Phillies.

The Mets go into Saturday 9.5 games behind the Atlanta Braves. It definitely appears that the NL East is over. The Marlins catching the Braves would send shockwaves throughout the league. As much as they’ve improved since the Mets had their way with them earlier this year, they’ve had the luxury of playing teams like the Oakland Athletics and Kansas City Royals recently.

Unfortunately, the Mets may have also helped the Pittsburgh Pirates get back on their postseason path. After dropping two straight against those lowly Athletics, following a six-game winning streak, Pittsburgh gave New York no chance at victory in Friday’s opener.

The Mets are supposed to be one of those teams others see on the schedule and dread. Lately, it’s a welcomed sight.