For the New York Mets, this season had turned into one to forget, but the dog days of summer and fall have opened a significant opportunity to send the team to the 2024 MLB postseason. Currently, the Mets sit in second place in the NL East, with the Atlanta Braves closely trailing them for the final Wild Card spot in the National League.
The Mets have a two-game lead over the Braves, and all Carlos Mendoza’s team needs is to win two of the three games to clinch their postseason berth.
The Mets are 7-3 in their last 10 games, while the Braves are 6-4. Both teams are evenly matched, but the Mets have several paths to the MLB playoffs.
How Can the New York Mets Clinch the Postseason?
- The Mets need to win two out of three games against the Braves.
If they finish their last six games with a record of 4-2 or better, they will also secure a spot.
- However, if the Mets win just one of the three games against Atlanta, they would maintain a 1.0-game lead but lose the season series to the Braves. In this case, while they would still have some control over their playoff prospects, the situation would become much more challenging.
- If the Mets lose two out of three against Atlanta, they can still secure a Wild Card spot by sweeping the Brewers in their upcoming three-game series in Milwaukee. Since the Mets would begin Friday’s games with a 1.0-game lead over Atlanta, a sweep against the Brewers would prevent the Braves from overtaking them.
Other Scenarios Include:
- The Mets can control their playoff chances by winning one game against the Braves and not needing to sweep the Brewers, provided the Braves lose at least one game to the Royals.
- If the Mets hold a 1.0-game lead over the Braves heading into the final weekend and the Braves lose a game to Kansas City, the Mets can clinch a playoff spot by winning two out of three against the Brewers.
Additional losses by the Braves will further enhance the Mets’ playoff prospects.
Worst-Case Scenario for New York Mets
Swept by Braves:
Mets will be 1.0 game back and lose the tiebreaker.
Scenarios to Finish Ahead of Braves
Win 3 vs. Brewers:
Braves must lose at least 2 to the Royals.
Win 2 vs. Brewers:
Braves must lose all 3 to the Royals.
Diamondbacks: Indirect Opponent
Current Standings:
Mets are 0.5 games ahead of the Diamondbacks for the second Wild Card spot.
Tiebreaker Advantage:
Mets won the season series against the Diamondbacks.
Key Games:
If the Mets win 2 against the Braves, they secure a spot.
Alternate Path:
Mets can also qualify by finishing ahead of the Braves or tied with the D-backs.
D-backs Schedule:
Arizona plays 5 games at home against the Giants and Padres this week.