Mets Clinch at Least Tie of NL East

Friday night was a very good night for the Mets — they clinched at least a tie for the NL East crown. They are one more win away from exorcising the demons of 2007 and 2008.

The Mets held on to beat the Reds 12-5 (they led 12-0 at one points) behind three three-run homers — two by Lucas Duda and one by Curtis Granderson. Oh, and Noah Syndergaard was masterful, going 7.2 innings, allowing two runs on five hits. He struck out 11 Reds and didn’t walk anyone.

Meantime, the Nationals continued their implosion, losing 8-2 to the pitiful Phillies. They will be lucky to finish the season .500; so much for the mega-talented Nats.

In the middle of August it was generally assumed the season would come down to the final three-game series against Washington. Luckily that will not happen. The Mets will be able to cruise the last week.

This is particularly sweet because no one really saw this coming. Most prognosticators pegged the Mets as a .500 team. And even that would have been an accomplishment, given the past six years. But they have exceeded expectations and are now ticketed for October.

For the first time in a long time, it is good to be a Mets fan.