12 games: 6-6 (figures)

Before the New York Mets beat the Florida Marlins 7-6 on May 28, I decided to take a look at the teams next 12 games (including that game) up until June 9, the teams first off day in 21 days.

During those next 12 games, the Mets went exactly 6-6. Perfectly .500.

Game 1: Mets 7 -- Marlins 6.
Game 2: Mets 8 -- Dodgers 4.
Game 3: Dodgers 9 -- Mets 5.
Game 4: Mets 3 -- Dodgers 2.
Game 5: Mets 6 -- Dodgers 1.
Game 6: Giants 10 -- Mets 2.
Game 7: Mets 9 -- Giants 6.
Game 8: Mets 5 -- Giants 3.
Game 9: Padres 2 -- Mets 1.
Game 10: Padres 2 -- Mets 1.
Game 11: Padres 2 -- Mets 1.
Game 12: Padres 8 -- Mets 6.

Coming into the series against the Padres, the Mets seemed to be flying high, garnering a mark of 6-2 through 8 games.

After a string of 2-1 losses and a heartbreaking defeat on Sunday, the Mets fell to a typical 6-6 record over the planned 12 games.

These 12 games are a microcosm of the season so far, and into the future. Though they may tease us with spouts of talent and swagger, just as quickly as it came, it will disappear. The team will turn around and flop around like a fish out of water, gasping to stay above the .500 mark.

This team is built to be of championship caliber, at least on paper, but right now it looks more like they'll be selling what they can at the All Star Break and attempting to rebuild for next year, or even a two or three years down the road.

It looks like it's going to be a much shorter (but it will feel like longer) year than expected out of our New York Metropolitans. As I always do, I try to keep a positive spin on things, so: Maybe this is for the better?

12 games: 5-2

Game 1: Mets 7 -- Marlins 6 (12 innings).
Game 2: Mets 8 -- Dodgers 4.
Game 3: Dodgers 9 -- Mets 5.
Game 4: Mets 3 -- Dodgers 2.
Game 5: Mets 6 -- Dodgers 1
Game 6: Giants 10 -- Mets 2.
Game 7: Mets 9 -- Giants 6

Record in the 12 games: 5-2. Five games left to play.

Looking good, if I do say so myself.

12 games: 3-1

Game 1: Mets 7 -- Marlins 6 (12 innings).
Game 2: Mets 8 -- Dodgers 4.
Game 3: Dodgers 9 -- Mets 5.
Game 4: Mets 3 -- Dodgers 2.

Record in the 12 games: 3-1. 8 left to play.

12 games: 2-1

Game 1: Mets 7 -- Marlins 6 (12 innings).
Game 2: Mets 8 -- Dodgers 4.
Game 3: Dodgers 9 -- Mets 5.

Record in the 12 games: 2-1. 9 left to play.

12 games: 2-0

Game 1: Mets 7 -- Marlins 6 (12 innings).
Game 2: Mets 8 -- Dodgers 4.

Record in the 12 games: 2-0. 10 left to play.

12 games: 1-0

Game 1: Mets 7 -- Marlins 6 (12 innings)

Record in the 12 games: 1-0. 11 left to play.

12 games: 0-0

The Mets next off-day is Monday, June 9th. Between now and then, the Mets will play 12 games. I feel the Mets season will be determined, for bettor or for worse, when these handful of games are complete.

The Mets play one game against the Marlins, then welcome the Dodgers for four, then head out west to play the lowly Giants for three and the even lowlier Padres for four more.

I can almost guarantee if the Mets go can't go 6-6 with these next 12 games, Willie Randolph will be a goner. I could be wrong, but we shall see.

12 games: 0-0.