One year after the New York Mets slipped into the playoffs and made a surprise run to the NLCS, they’re chasing that magic again. This time, though, the stakes feel sky-high for this big-spending squad led by superstar Juan Soto. With Soto in his prime, the Mets can’t afford to let the season slip away. Let’s break down what the final week of the MLB regular season holds for the Mets and their key rivals in the tight NL wild-card race.
Mets’ Tough Road Ahead
The Mets kick off their crucial stretch with a three-game series against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field starting Tuesday. They wrap up the regular season with three more games in Miami against the Marlins.
The Cubs hold a three-game lead over the San Diego Padres for the top NL wild-card spot right now. That means they’d host the Padres in the best-of-three wild-card series if things stay this way. The Mets’ recent four-game sweep by the Reds has put them in a tough spot, making every game count.
As for the Marlins, they’ve turned their season around dramatically. After dropping as many as 16 games below .500 on June 11, they’ve gone 51-39 since and just won six straight, including 10 of their last 11. If the Marlins somehow stay in the wild-card mix for that final weekend, they could throw a wrench in the Mets’ plans. Even if they’re out of it, Mets fans still cringe at memories of Miami dashing their playoff hopes in the last series of 2007 and 2008.
Reds Ride Hot Streak into Contention
Cincinnati Reds fans couldn’t have dreamed this up a few weeks ago, but their team has surged into a playoff spot with five straight wins. The Reds hold the tiebreaker over the Mets thanks to winning the season series head-to-head.
Next up for Cincinnati: a series against the slumping Pittsburgh Pirates at home, followed by three games versus the MLB-leading Milwaukee Brewers. The Brewers might rest key players if they’ve locked up the top seed by then. Both series happen in Cincinnati, which isn’t great news for the Mets—they lost two of three there earlier this month, sparking the Reds’ current 10-16 run while the Mets have stumbled with 11 losses in 16 games.
Diamondbacks Closing Fast
No one saw the Arizona Diamondbacks coming back like this either. They’ve won 15 of their last 23 games, including six of eight recently, and trail the Mets by just one game in the NL wild-card race. Like the Reds, Arizona owns the tiebreaker over New York from their season series.
The D-backs face a gauntlet, though. They host the Los Angeles Dodgers starting Tuesday, then head to San Diego for three against the Padres. Tough opponents, but if Arizona keeps the momentum, they could leapfrog right into the playoffs.
Mets Get a Boost with Potential Returns
On a brighter note for the Mets, outfielder Tyrone Taylor might return Tuesday in Chicago. He’s been sidelined since last month with a strained left hamstring, forcing the team to rely on the struggling duo of Cedric Mullins and Jose Siri. Taylor’s speed and defense could be a game-changer down the stretch.
Pitcher Kodai Senga is also pushing to prove he’s ready for October. The right-hander, sent to Triple-A Syracuse to tweak his mechanics, plans to face live hitters in Port St. Lucie on Tuesday or Wednesday. His last start wasn’t great—he gave up four runs on six hits in 3 2/3 innings—but Senga wants to show he’s postseason material if the Mets make it.
With the NL wild-card race this jammed up, every inning matters. The Mets need to channel last year’s grit and get help from around the league to sneak into the playoffs once more.
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