Exorcising the Marlins Demon

After Wednesday's win against the Florida Marlins, I literally tweeted about thirty seconds after the end of the game: "One game under .500.  I can’t believe I am thrilled about this prospect.”  After dropping a doubleheader to the Braves on Thursday night, they are now three games under, but you get the idea, I'm sure.  The spirit behind my tweet thought was more special anyway because the Mets have taken the last six out of eight games against the Marlins.  What's more?  This all took place in the last week and change.

I started to think about what is being talked about in the interwebs these days, especially regarding the Mets.  Every alarmist, every person in the very vocal minority is freaking out about certain things said (or even worse – not said) in the media, regarding the Mets prospects for payroll limitations next year, the recent back-out of potential minority investor David Einhorn in the Mets, and whatever else you can fill-in-the-blanks with (Jose Reyes’ contract, Bobby Parnell being the “future closer,” Jason Bay, etc).  Certainly, there are many things that can concern those of us who live, breathe and eat Mets baseball, yet what I found to be quite alarming was this: the very fact that the Florida Marlins had owned the Mets, especially since 2009.

Think about it: ever since 2007, the Marlins have had our number.  No matter who their manager may be, no matter who is on their pitching staff, or batting, it could be counted on that they would be a thorn in the Mets’ side.  In fact, in the past, I’ve equated them to being the annoying Scrappy Doo, nephew of Scooby Doo.
Let me at ‘em!  I’ll splat ‘em!

Since 2009 and prior to these last two series against the Marlins, the Mets were 16-30 against the Marlins.  Taking six out of the last eight against the Fish, the Mets' overall record against them is 22-32, rounding out the year as the Mets bade farewell to Sun Life Stadium.  The Mets started 3-7 against the Marlins this year, and 6-2 in last two weeks…Like I said earlier, being closer to .500 never was so sweet, and the Mets were .500 in 2011 against a team they could never seem to beat when the stakes were on the line.  At this point, I gotta take it as it comes.

With the first game loss, the Mets are officially out of the NL East contention and are "tragic number" negative.  The Wild Card tragic number is six games.  However, I am choosing to take comfort that the Mets are finally exorcising the Marlins demon that has been surrounding them since 2007 and most of all, getting close to center against them as well. The pessimist in me thinks that it's dumb I would make a big deal about this.  I guess the optimist in me thinks that any move in the right direction means that better things are yet to come.

Like I said, I gotta take it as I get it.