Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports
The New York Mets are only 8 games away from being mathematically eliminated from the race for the National League East as the Atlanta Braves march on into the playoffs in good shape. The Mets are still good enough however to play spoiler to the Washington Nationals who unfortunately appear to be just about done with their dreams for a wildcard playoff berth. The truth of the matter is that they didn’t have much of a chance anyway because one lost series would just about do them in. That is all the Mets did for them.
Even as good as the Nats have been playing of late their own elimination number is 13 going into their game on Sunday even with a Braves loss. That race was done a while ago but with the two consecutive losses to the Mets even Davey Johnson admits that they will just about have to sweep out the rest of the season to have a chance. I don’t mean to sound harsh but even Johnson should know that isn’t going to happen.
The Cincinnati Reds aren’t relaxing back waiting on the postseason themselves after all. They are trying to catch the two teams in front of them. The unfortunate result of that pursuit by the Reds on the Nats is that they are running away with the wildcard in the process. The only team that has an outside chance of catching them is the Arizona Diamondbacks and that chance is definitely outside. I think the Nats will be back strong next season and they will have a good send off month for Johnson but truthfully they are done.
David Miller is a Senior Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @davidmillerrant, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google
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