C-Mac says Mets can no longer say they are taking teams by surprise: 'Expectations change'

As the Mets continue their fairy tale story and move to the brink of advancing to their first NLDS in nine years, Chris McMonigle says the cute underdog narrative has to go.

It's time to acknowledge the Mets as a team that can do real damage in October, and they're showing that capability in front of a national audience.

"The one thing I'm a little tired of with this Mets team is constantly saying 'Nobody expected it,'" C-Mac said. "If you have to pull that to use it for motivation, God bless. It seems to have worked. But for me, expectations change.

"You can't say 'Nobody expected us to be here' and then praise the idea that you've been the best team in Major League Baseball since June 1. You can't have it both ways."

The Mets have indeed been one of the best teams in baseball since the start of June, and they have continued that momentum into October, taking down the Brewers on the road in Tuesday's Wild Card Series opener. So, as the team's playoff run continues, it's time to view New York as a real threat and not a cute underdog story, even if the season can be viewed as an overall success already.

"There are now raised expectations for this team," C-Mac said. "I understand nobody expected it at the start of the year….I've heard enough of this 'Nobody expected us to be here.' Because after that breath, you're gonna tell me that you've been the best team in baseball for the last four months.

"I don't like the idea that everything from here on out is gravy…I don't know if it's true. Whenever you get here, you have an obligation to give it a go, because you never know when you're gonna get back…I will say, no matter what happens from here on out, I think it's a success."