Another September of meaningless baseball awaits the Mets.
But this is what you had to expect after the team failed to build on the momentum it carried into the All-Star break and ended July in the familiar position of needing an August miracle to thrust itself into contention.
That miracle never came, as the Mets reverted to a listless crew that too often had no chance of overcoming even a two-run deficit in the middle innings.
David Wright is a mess, Curtis Granderson is MIA and the shortstop situation continues to haunt the club.
Of course, the continued development of Zack Wheeler, Jacob deGrom, Jeurys Familia and Jenrry Mejia has been a plus.
But it doesn’t change the fact the Mets — for a sixth straight year — are left to play out the schedule in the final month while teams such as the Nationals and Braves gear up for the stretch run.
A look back at the Mets’ awful August:
MVP
Without this breakout year from Duda, the Mets would already have last place in the NL East locked up. The team will head to the offseason without having to worry about first base, after making the right choice between Duda and Davis.
LVP
Curtis Granderson: For a two-month stretch beginning in early May, the veteran outfielder was exactly the player the Mets thought they were receiving for $60 million. But he has been dreadful since the All-Star break, and added to a brutal April, it has spelled a rough first season with the Mets for Granderson.
He hit only .147 with one homer in August, and might be lucky at this point to finish the season with his on-base percentage above .300. The Mets are stuck with him for another three years, so they can only hope this won’t be as painful as watching Jason Bay try to resurrect his career in the middle of a big contract.
Looking ahead
The September schedule won’t help the Mets (64-73) in their attempt to avoid a sixth straight losing season. Most notably, there are seven games remaining against the NL East-leading Nationals, who are 10-2 against the Mets this year. Four of those matchups against the Nationals will come in the middle of a 10-game homestand. The month begins with six games on the road against Miami and Cincinnati. For a second straight year the Mets will finish the season at home, this time with three games against Houston.
Toughest organizational decision
Dilson Herrera’s arrival to play second base with Daniel Murphy on the disabled list underscores the decision the Mets will be facing at the position. Murphy has been the team’s most consistent hitter this season, but the Mets have him under their control for only one more year.
Should they sign him to a multi-year deal? Trade him? Let him begin next season as the second baseman and then try to deal him before the trade deadline? If Herrera isn’t deemed ready and Murphy is traded, the team could let Wilmer Flores play second to at least start the 2015 season.
Game of the month
Mets 4, Giants 2 (Aug. 2): Jacob deGrom and Jake Peavy each took a no-hitter into the seventh inning at Citi Field, but the Mets ultimately made the most noise. After Pablo Sandoval doubled against deGrom in the top of the seventh, the Mets battered Peavy for four runs in the bottom of the inning, led by Wilmer Flores’ two-run double.
By the numbers
2: Hits in 18 at-bats by Matt den Dekker this season with runners in scoring position for a (.059) average in such situations.
6: Years since the Mets last played a meaningful September game.
12: Home runs for Travis d’Arnaud, the most by a rookie catcher in Mets history.
74: Runs allowed by Mets pitchers in the fifth inning this year, making it by far their worst frame.
The Mets have scored 52 runs in the fifth inning.
157: At-bats without a home run for David Wright. Wright’s last blast came on July 11 against Miami.