A year after the Mets made an unexpected playoff run to the NLCS, they’re hoping to repeat that success this season.
This time around, there’s a noticeable weight of expectation on the team, particularly with Fan Soto leading the charge during what could be one of his most productive seasons.
As they approach this critical final week of the regular season, it’s essential to assess their standing and the competition they face.
Mets
The Mets started a three-game series against the Cubs at Wrigley Field on Tuesday, wrapping up the regular season with three games in Miami.
The Cubs have climbed into the top spot in the NL wildcard race, currently holding off the Padres for three wildcard spots.
Meanwhile, the Cubs recently swept a four-game series against the Reds, which contributes to the Mets feeling less pressure, being in a decent position themselves.
On another note, the Marlins have changed their fortunes, going 51-39 after struggling early in the season. They’ve even won six consecutive games recently.
If they remain in contention for the wildcard, it might complicate things for the Mets. You can’t help but remember how the Marlins eliminated the Mets in their final series during both the 2007 and 2008 seasons—a tough pill to swallow for fans.
Reds
Cincinnati is experiencing a resurgence, having won five straight and capturing a season series advantage over the Mets. This could prove essential for their playoff aspirations.
The upcoming matches include a series against the struggling Pirates, followed by a showdown with the league-leading Brewers.
Both series take place in Cincinnati, which adds a layer of difficulty for the Mets, especially since they started the Reds’ recent hot streak by losing two out of three games in Cincy earlier this month.
Since that point, the Reds have won 10 out of 16 games, while the Mets have faltered, dropping 11 of their last 16 games.
Diamondbacks
Arizona has emerged as another formidable competitor, surprising many with their recent performance.
They’ve won six of their last eight games and are just one game behind the Mets.
Compounding matters for the Mets, Arizona holds a tiebreaker over them.
It’s worth noting that the Diamondbacks are facing the Dodgers and then the Padres in their final two series, which won’t be easy.
On another note, Tyrone Taylor might make a return during the series in Chicago on Tuesday, which would be a welcome boost for the Mets as they’ve been relying on a struggling duo of Cedric Mullins and Jose Ciri in Taylor’s absence.
Kodai Senga is eager to prove himself worthy of a postseason spot. After a disappointing start in which he allowed four runs on six hits over just 3²/₃ innings, he’s looking to turn things around.
