Mets might miss out on 2024 MLB Wild Card spot because of difficult upcoming schedule, says analystÂ
While the New York Mets have charged as of late, they still have some challenges they need to overcome. They sit in second place in the National League East with their 80-66 record, but a tough schedule comes their way.
NY starts a four-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday before taking on the Washington Nationals. They then play the Phillies yet again and face the Atlanta Braves right after.
These next few weeks are going to be important for the Mets. MLB analyst Trevor Plouffe could see the club slipping soon. He explained his take on a recent airing of Baseball Today with Chris Rose.
"Padres, Arizona, Atlanta, and the Mets are only seperated by 4.5 games. Who's the odd man out? Just by looking at the schedule, I think it might be the Mets," Plouffe said.
The push to lock in an NL Wild Card spot has been tight. Four teams are separated by just 4.5 games, and it will come down to who can hold it together the longest.
"They're playing the Phillies seven more times. Then they have that series against the Braves, then they play against Milwaukee. I think it might catch up to them," Plouffe said.
NY plays just one team with a losing record to finish out the season. If they can hold on and make the postseason, it will show just how resilient this team is.
The Mets would be in the postseason if the season ended today
If the season ended today, the Mets would be in the postseason. They would have secured the final Wild Card spot in the National League and would not have that bad of a matchup.
They would play against the Milwaukee Brewers in the Wild-Card round. That would not be too bad of a first-round matchup, considering Milwaukee has the worst record of all teams who lead their divisions.
If they were to move on, it would be a much tougher series. They would take on the Los Angeles Dodgers who currently hold a first-round bye in the playoffs.
MLB.com sees NY as being a team in "good shape," giving them a 50-89% chance to make the postseason. If they do so, they need to make the most of it. They have not won a postseason series since their run in 2015.