The New York Mets have been enduring a season full of struggles, misfortune, and moments that leave fans shaking their heads. In a Marvel-style “What If?” scenario, things could get even worse—an alternate timeline where the team’s woes continue to snowball and every fan’s worst fears edge closer to reality. It’s the kind of scenario that makes you wonder just how much more this season can test the Mets’ resilience.
In this alternate timeline, Paul Blackburn, the pitcher the Mets cut to make room for their top prospect, takes the mound for the Braves at Truist Park next week. The same pitcher who struggled mightily in a Mets uniform suddenly dominates, delivering a win against the team that released him. It’s a perfectly ironic twist; the kind of cruel baseball timing that makes fans shake their heads and wonder how things could get any worse.
For Mets fans, the idea of Paul Blackburn facing the team in Atlanta is a nightmare ‘what if.’
Blackburn’s time with the Mets was far from impressive. Over 23.2 innings, he allowed 18 earned runs, gave up 31 hits, and walked eight batters, striking out only 18. He returned from the injured list for a single outing against the Braves on August 18, and shortly after, the Mets released him to make room for Nolan McLean. On paper, it was a straightforward move: Blackburn wasn’t helping the team, and the Mets needed roster flexibility.
But that’s where the “what if” scenario gets deliciously nerve-wracking. The Mets have gone 20-34 over their last 54 games, one of the worst stretches in MLB. For a fan base already on edge, the idea of seeing a former struggling pitcher suddenly aligned with a division rival adds an extra layer of tension. After all, we just witnessed Carlos Carrasco, another ex-Met, take the mound against us. Could history repeat itself?
The bigger concern isn’t just that Blackburn could pitch well—it’s what it would mean in the larger context of the Mets’ struggles. The team has been unable to string together consistent outings, bullpen lapses continue, and morale feels fragile. Facing a familiar name in a rival uniform could add a psychological edge for the Braves, and for Mets fans, it’s a reminder that even players who failed here can suddenly become a thorn in the team’s side.
In a season full of uncertainty, the Mets can only brace for surprises. Sometimes the past sneaks up in the most unlikely form, and even players who struggled here can suddenly become part of the drama. It’s a reminder that in baseball, the “what ifs” don’t just live in hypotheticals; they can show up on another team’s roster.
