The Braves, a team already boasting a formidable lineup, have faced a significant setback with the injury to their All-Star third baseman, Austin Riley. Riley suffered a fractured right hand after being hit by a pitch, and he is expected to miss 6-8 weeks, which unfortunately spans the remainder of the regular season. This injury further compounds the Braves’ difficulties, as they also lost last year’s NL MVP, Ronald Acuña Jr., to season-ending issues. Additionally, Ozzie Albies, another crucial member of the Braves’ roster, is sidelined until late September due to a fractured wrist.
In light of these injuries, Severino remarked, “That’s real bad news for the Braves.” He expressed sympathy for the team’s situation, noting, “Thinking as a player I don’t want things like that. They have a good team and they had a good team last year, too.” Severino is keenly aware of how injuries can impact a team, reflecting on his own experiences with the Yankees where he saw firsthand how injuries could derail a season. He added, “We are really close in the race with the Braves. Hopefully now we can get those two games they are in front of us and try to get that last spot for the wild card.”
The Mets, who have been chasing the Braves in the NL wild-card race, have also faced their own set of challenges. Another team that has been competing with the Mets for a wild-card berth, the Arizona Diamondbacks, was dealt a blow as MVP candidate Ketel Marte was placed on the injured list due to an ankle sprain. Severino was initially unaware of Marte’s injury when he made his comments, but the timing of the announcement could prove advantageous for the Mets. Marte’s absence will mean he will not be available when the Mets face the Diamondbacks in an upcoming series, a development that could potentially shift the balance of power in the wild-card race.
With the Mets gearing up for a crucial 10-game road trip that includes matchups against the Padres, Diamondbacks, and White Sox, Severino views this stretch as pivotal for the team’s playoff aspirations. He emphasized the importance of the upcoming series, stating, “Our season is there. We play four with San Diego and three with Arizona. If we win those two series I think we have a good shot to make the playoffs. We can make a statement that we are a good team. If we beat those teams in a series I know it will mean a lot to the guys in here.”
Despite the challenges and inconsistencies that have marked the Mets’ season, including a record of 15-14 since the All-Star break, Severino remains hopeful. The Mets have shown resilience in the past, surging into postseason contention with a strong finish before the All-Star break, and Severino is optimistic that they can replicate that performance. He said, “I am hoping. We did it before and we can do it again. We just need to be on the same page.”
Severino’s analysis reflects the Mets’ need to find a consistent rhythm as they navigate the final stretch of the season. He noted the team’s struggles with balancing pitching, hitting, and bullpen performance throughout the year. “I feel at the beginning we were pitching good and not hitting and then we were hitting and not pitching good, and then the bullpen was a strength and then it was not a strength,” he explained. “If we can get it all together — we don’t have to do it for the whole 30-something games, but if we do it 20-something out of the 30-something that would be amazing.”
As the Mets continue to push for a playoff spot, Severino’s comments underscore the pivotal nature of their upcoming games and the importance of capitalizing on the opportunities presented by their competitors’ setbacks.
