It took until the last day of the regular season, or the day after the last day of the regular season, but the Mets finally made it to the playoffs and will play Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series against the Brewers in Milwaukee.
Here's how the teams would play if all games were played at American Family Field:
on the plate
go on base
Other than the fact that the Mets made the playoffs in late September, there hasn't been much progress for the team beyond the return to health of Francisco Lindor, who has been a on-base machine since moving into the leadoff spot.
Unsurprisingly, the Mets have been the fourth-ranked team in the majors in on-base percentage since the season began in late May.
Edge: Mets
force
Despite Pete Alonso having a disappointing season, the Mets showed plenty of strength.
While Lindor was showing power and Mark Vientos was emerging as a threat, Alonso was still hitting 34 home runs.
For the Mets to advance, they need JD Martinez to come back to life.
Meanwhile, Milwaukee had four hitters with 20 or more home runs, including Willie Adames with 32 home runs and Reece Hoskins with 26 for the Mets.
Edge: Mets
in the field
infield
Lindor's return to shortstop could strengthen the Mets' infield and help fill in the gaps of Vientos at third and Alonso at first.
Bryce Turan is in second place, and Joey Ortiz is in third place.
Edge: Brewers
outfield
Centers Harrison Bader and Tyron Taylor will have to complement corners Brandon Nimmo and Starling Marte, but Jackson Cholio and Blake Perkins are excellent for Milwaukee.
Sal Frelich suffered a hip injury late in the season, and his availability is yet to be determined.
on base path
Edge: Brewers
Turan is third in the majors with 50 stolen bases, and the Brewers are one of the best teams in the league in that category, while the Mets are near the bottom, but a healthy Lindor could change that.
Edge: Brewers
bench
Tyrone Taylor and Jesse Winker are both former Brewers and have contributed since arriving in Queens. Jake Bowers has some power.
Edge: Mets
on the mound
rotate
Thanks to the Mets' win in Game 1 on Monday, they will likely save Luis Severino for Tuesday, with Sean Manaea and Jose Quintana likely to follow.
Milwaukee started the rotation with Freddy Peralta starting Tuesday.
Edge: Brewers
bull-pen
Edwin Diaz will certainly be out for Game 1, but the Mets will address his absence now that he's in Milwaukee.
Phil Mayton is a veteran.
Trevor Megill, Tyler's younger brother, made 21 saves, but Devin Williams had even more.
Williams missed most of the first half with a lower back injury, but in his last 13 appearances, he has been dominant with 13 scoreless innings and 22 strikeouts.
Edge: Brewers
manager
Carlos Mendoza and Pat Murphy are first-year managers who took over from big names (Buck Showalter and Craig Counsell, respectively) who made their bosses look good.
While Murphy took over a well-oiled machine, Mendoza took over a team that let him down a year ago and righted the ship.
Edge: Mets
something intangible
Where do you start?
David Stearns left Milwaukee for Queens and put together a team that went 24-35 and made the playoffs, facing his old team.
The Brewers still own the NL Central division with Craig Counsell going to the Cubs and under the guidance of Sterns' replacement, Matt Arnold.
However, the Mets exorcised some serious demons by surviving in Atlanta and making it to the playoffs for the second time in three years.
Will the Mets be affected by Monday's doubleheader in Atlanta and subsequent trip to Milwaukee?
Edge: Mets
John Heyman
Mets in 3 games
This Mets team thrives on pressure anyway, but now that pressure is off. No matter what happens, this season is a success.
mike puma
Mets in 3 games
The Brewers played the Mets during the regular season, but we all know that doesn't matter in the playoffs (see Mets vs. Cubs in the 2015 NLCS).
Mark W. Sanchez
three brewers
The Mets expended a lot of energy and pitching before facing a club that had quality rest.
Joel Sherman
three brewers
Milwaukee has a style that fits well with the Mets, and this is a tired version of the Mets.
mike vacaro
three brewers
They play with the house's money on a great ride that scares off a lot of ghosts. But this rapid turnaround will be hard to ignore.
