It All Comes Down to This. Please Don’t Hurt Us Again.

Alright, fellow Mets faithful. Deep breaths. It’s Game 162, and everything is on the line. Our entire season, all the ups and downs, the moments of pure joy and the soul-crushing defeats, have led to this one game against the Miami Marlins. A win, and we have a shot at the postseason. A loss, and it’s all over.

And who are we entrusting with our collective hopes and dreams? Who is the chosen one to lead us to the promised land?

Sean Manaea.

I know. I need a paper bag, too.

Our Guy on the Mound (God Help Us)

Let’s not sugarcoat it: starting Sean Manaea in a must-win game feels like trying to defuse a bomb while wearing oven mitts. The man’s ERA for the season is a terrifying 5.80. And if you think that’s bad, you should see what he’s been doing lately. In September, his ERA has skyrocketed to 7.64. He’s been less of a pitcher and more of a batting practice machine. His last start was against the lowly Nationals, and he only lasted three innings before getting the hook.

Now, the stat nerds with their spreadsheets will tell you he’s just been incredibly unlucky all year and is actually a much better pitcher than his numbers show. That’s great and all, but my eyes have seen the games, and my stomach has felt the heartburn. To make matters worse, he has a history of getting lit up by the Marlins, especially when he pitches in their ballpark. It’s a perfect storm of terror. The only hope is that the manager has a quicker hook than a cranky pirate.

Their Guy on the Mound (He’s No Saint, Either)

Okay, now for the good news. The Marlins are starting a guy named Edward Cabrera. On paper, he looks decent with a 3.66 ERA. But here’s the beautiful part: he’s basically pitching with one arm tied behind his back.

Cabrera is just coming back from an elbow injury and is on a very strict pitch count. In his last game back, he only threw 67 pitches. The Marlins are already eliminated, so they have zero reason to risk his health for a meaningless game. This means he’s not going to be in the game for long. We get to face their bullpen, and that’s a huge win for us.

And the best part? We absolutely hammer this guy. His career ERA against the Mets is a gorgeous 5.80. The last time he faced us, we blasted three homers off him and sent him to the injured list.

The Big Matchup: The Polar Bear vs. The Pitcher

This whole game boils down to one beautiful, simple thing: Pete Alonso owns Edward Cabrera. It’s not just an opinion; it’s a statistical fact. In his career against Cabrera, the Polar Bear has hit three home runs and has a ridiculous 1.252 OPS. Pete lives rent-free in this pitcher’s head, and today, the rent is due. While Cabrera has somehow managed to get Francisco Lindor out, it doesn’t matter. This game is all about waiting for Pete to send a baseball into orbit.

The Final Verdict (My Stomach Hurts)

So, here we are. Our pitcher is a walking panic attack, but their pitcher is on a short leash and gets owned by our best hitter. The key is that we only need Manaea to survive for a few innings. If he can just keep us in the game until the bullpen takes over, we have a real shot.

Cabrera’s Alonso Problem

The advantage is ours. Cabrera is limited, and Pete Alonso is ready to feast. It’s going to be stressful. It’s going to be painful to watch at times. But the path to the playoffs is right in front of us.

Yikes, Delusional Prediction:

• New York Mets Win: 65%

• Miami Marlins Win: 35%

I’m afraid to watch this game. Let’s go Mets!