CINCINNATI — After all the woe, the self-flagellation, the neurosis the Mets fan-base has put itself through over the last few weeks, the obvious is becoming clear. Forget any remote talks of collapse, these Mets are nearly in the postseason.
They took another step Thursday night with a 6-4 win over the Reds at Great American Ballpark. It was not smooth, it was not easy but it was a victory, and after a loss by the Nationals earlier in the day, the Mets' magic number is now down to three.