New York needs this game.
More than anything that happened last season, the Mets need to win tomorrow and make a run deep into October.
New Yorkers need it for our sports sanity.
Think about this. If Madison Bumgarner crushes the Mets tomorrow, our eyes will turn elsewhere and frankly that isn’t a good sight. The Football Giants are starting to go down the toilet, while the Jets season is already has become a dumpster fire. The three hockey teams are not getting anyone excited, and the Nets are going to compete with the Sixers for the NBA’s worst record.
That leaves us with the Knicks.
Yes, the Knicks.
And if they are all you have, then the Mets better win tomorrow.
It’s just that simple.
But take that pressure away from the Amazin’s, because frankly they are not thinking about it, they still need to be ready, willing, and able to face Bumgarner tomorrow.
“He’s real good, but like all great pitchers, he throws strikes,” said Mets manager Terry Collins. “So the one thing you’ve got to go up with a little bit of a plan, try to get something you can handle, and don’t miss it.”
It’s not going to be easy, as the Mets never had much success against the San Francisco ace. First, it’s obvious, he’s a lefty and the Mets have a mainly lefthanded hitting lineup, but even more than that, he’s dominated the Mets at Citi Field, where he’s 4-0 with a 0.62 ERA, yes that’s two earned runs in 29 innings.
So, yeah, it’s going to be a tough matchup.
“I think I only had three at-bats in my career against him,” said outfielder Curtis Granderson. “But watching guys just put together good at-bats, he’s a fierce competitor, we’ve just got to match the intensity. Everybody knows exactly what you can expect from him. But can’t give away an at-bat and try to not miss the ones that he does give you, the few opportunities that he does.”
The Mets are not going to lie down, though. Granderson and company will be behind Noah Syndergaard, who is no slouch either and seems to be ready for the challenge.
Syndergaard also seems to love pitching at Citi Field, where the crowd will be behind him, pumping up that “Thor” persona.
“Definitely feed off that positive energy,” he said. “There are some times where it can be a little too much. But just kind of take a step, slide off the mound, take a deep breath, and get back to pitching.”
Even though, this seems to be a one game season. It is. Remember, the Mets have been through this before last season against the Dodgers, while the Giants had a Game 7 of the World Series win over the Royals two years ago.
Both teams know what’s at stake here. Win and you get into the main draw and a date at Wrigley Field on Friday. Remember, the Cubs last season went to the LCS, where they lost to the Mets, while the Giants won the World Series as the play-in two years ago.
So, something can be said about winning about tomorrow’s game. Good things can happen.
We need that in New York right now.
The Mets are our best hope for New York sports.
Keep it alive.
We are not ready to pin our hopes on the Knicks just yet.
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