Record in July: 14-13

The Mets have been in first place since May 8.

That’s more than 80 days…but you wouldn’t know it if you followed chatter about the team on Twitter (it’s usually doom and gloom) or based on the way they are covered nationally (they’re largely disregarded) or, I guess, if you’ve watched them play (they’ve been underwhelming).

I guess it’s because of the way they’ve played that the other two points exist.

But there’s kind of a feeling in the air like that might change a little.

Saturday night, after watching the Mets game, I went to bed with a smile on my face.

This hasn’t happened much lately.

Sometimes I just go to bed without watching the end of a game.

Sometimes I stay up and watch them lose.

Sometimes I stay up and they win and my reaction is, “OK. Good.”

But on Saturday night…it was a really good feeling.

First of all, the Mets pulled off an exciting come-from-behind win.

Secondly, it was Javier Baez’s Mets debut, and he hit a two-run home run in the sixth inning to make it a one-run game, which was exciting…and made it worth staying up for the bottom of the 9th inning.

Lastly, after the game, it was one of those SNY games where Steve Gelbs does an on-field interview. This one was with Baez, and he talked about what Mets fans can expect from him, and it made me happy.

Hence, the smile on my face as I went to bed.

The past month or so of Mets games have felt like work.

Frustrating games (and losses) against the likes of the Pirates.

Injuries, most notably to Jacob deGrom, that have kind of decimated the starting rotation and fill-in pitchers here and there that have forced the bullpen to work overtime.

Francisco Lindor was also hurt right after the All Star break, so another main catalyst in the lineup has been missing.

Saturday night felt a little bit like work as well - Jonathan Villar getting picked off of second base ahead of Baez’s homer was particularly annoying - but there was an excitement combined with knowing the Reds bullpen has been beatable that made it worth sitting through.

There was a feeling much like there was in 2015 after the trade deadline - that the Mets would find a way to win.

The other teams in the National League East have not been playing very well. If the Mets really do want to replicate a 2015 run, they’re going to need to start beating up on their division. It would be nice to see their win total grow closer to match the other division leaders.

Those SNY on-field interviews only really happen when things are going well and when the Mets are winning.

I’m hopeful that as the team gets healthy over the final two months of the season, the interviews happen more and more.