The Mets took the first two games from the White Sox, and are 9-4 through their first 13 games of July.
Still, despite that strong start to the month, New York sits seven games back of a playoff spot, not making up much ground despite the Marlins losing six straight games and the Reds losing seven of their last 10.
With a steep hill still to climb and several teams to jump over, Tiki doesn't believe a surge up the standings is going to happen for the Mets.
"While I want to believe it…I still don't think they're gonna do it," Tiki said. "I hate to be the downer. In my mind, I see the positives. Baty is bouncing back. I still love Lindor…but I don't believe it yet. I don't trust it yet.
"It feels daunting. It feels like they have to be perfect…I think what will happen, and this is the scary part for Mets fans, is that they're gonna play well enough for Steve Cohen to buy, and still fall short. If that happens, you feel like you've wasted the trade deadline."
Sal doesn't believe the Mets are going to win anything this year, but if they can continue to get performances from top arms in the rotation like they did on Tuesday with Justin Verlander firing eighth strong innings, after Max Scherzer claimed to have found what may have been holding back his slider, maybe a run toward a Wild Card spot is still in the cards.
"If they can get consistent starting pitching," Sal said. "They will look like a different team and get back into things."
Still, that doesn't mean a good stretch over the next 10 days will mean the Mets will go all in at the deadline.
"They want to be buyers…but they're also not gonna be reckless," Sal said. "Steve Cohen isn't gonna say 'Hey, we've had a good two weeks, let's go all in.' I think what they would do is look to add bullpen help, maybe little tweaks here and there."
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