State of the Mets: Incomes the surging Phillies and Braves

QUEENS, N.Y. – Before the New York Mets departed for a 10-game road trip out west, they had a comfortable 10-game divisional lead. The Mets were tested against the Dodgers, Padres, and Angels. New York’s lead was cut to 5.5 as they went 5-5 on the road trip. The “The Kings of Queens” returned home still with the best record in the National League, and with some pressure within their division.

Girardi-Less Phillies

With a 22-29 record to start June, the Philadelphia Phillies made the call to fire Joe Girardi as they saw themselves slipping out of reach before the all-star break. Girardi would manage his club to one last win on June 1 before getting fired two days later. Rob Thomson would become the interim manager for the club. His new role began with the series against the Los Angeles Angels. In the final game of the series, the Phillies came back from a 6-2 deficit to win 9-7. Following the game’s conclusion, many believed Bryce Harper took a jab at his former manager to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

“Being able to put our trust in our young guys the last couple days, and really let them just play… it’s been great. And it paid off today.”

Thomson would start his new role by winning eight straight. As of June 21, they hold a 36-32 record. Not bad for a team that lost hope at the beginning of the month. As the Phillies try to catch up to the Mets in the standings, there’s another team they must get through first: the Atlanta Braves.

Nine Straight? Try 14

At the beginning of June, Atlanta saw themselves 10.5 games back from the first-place Mets. Now Atlanta has cut the deficit in half thanks to sweeping Colorado, Oakland, Pittsburgh, and Washington, which built them a 14-game winning streak. After being shut out last Friday, their streak ended at the hands of the Chicago Cubs. Their double-digit deficit became six games. During the stretch, the Braves did not play a .500 team.

Regardless of the teams they played, the Braves now hold a 39-29 record. They saw the return of Ronald Acuña Jr. from the injured list, which will give them some much-needed boost as it doesn’t get easier for them. Atlanta will have to prepare themselves as they go against the San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, and St. Louis Cardinals, pushing them forward in the standings or back again.

They Still Here

Despite all the noise the NL East has been making, the Mets still hold first place in their division and the best record in the National League. With a 45-24 record and a 5.5 game lead in the NL East, the Mets continue to find ways to win games with their available players.

Of course, it isn’t a Mets season if there aren’t some injuries.

In just his second start since returning from the IL due to right bicep inflammation, Tylor Megill would quickly head back with a right shoulder strain against the Milwaukee Brewers last Thursday. Megill would allow four earned runs over 3 1/3 innings against the Brewers with six strikeouts.

The Mets have been without Jacob deGrom this season and Max Scherzer, who has been on the IL since late May with a left oblique strain. That could all change in a matter of days after Scherzer threw a three-inning 50-pitch simulated game last Thursday, and a rehab start in the minors Tuesday is on his agenda. If all goes well for the 37-year-old, he could be pitching in the majors as soon as Sunday.

Their current rotation consists of Carlos Carrasco, Taijuan Walker, Chris Bassitt, and David Peterson.

Things are starting to get interesting for these three clubs as we gear up for the summer.

“Buckle up,” Buck Showalter said.