Acce s the Mets beat like never before Dont mi s Mike Pumas text me sages from Queens and beyond Jason Varitek Jersey hes giving Sports+ subscribers the inside buzz on the Mets. PHILADELPHIA Even in this bad stretch, which is getting close to half a season of subpar baseball now, the Mets did have one fun thing going for them: They were briefly the Phillies daddy. Thats obviously over now, along with any hope of a miracle comeback in the National League East. The division is painted red now by a better-rounded, stronger-armed Phillies team at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday night to widen the gap to a season-high nine games. And lets be real, a club playing .408 ball for nearly three months isnt making that up with 17 games to play. The Mets famously once blew a seven-game lead with 17 to go to this very Philly team. But the reverse aint happening. Not now. Weve got to play better Theres no time to feel sorry, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. Weve got to fight. Babe Ruth Jersey