Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Going into action on August 9, the Mets have 52 games remaining in the 2022 regular season. With just under one-third of the campaign left, it’s fair to say that the stretch run has begun.
Having beaten the Atlanta Braves four of five games over the weekend, the Mets hold a seven-game lead in the division as the season immerses itself in the “dog days.” While the old adage is true that you have to beat whoever is on your schedule, the quality of the opposition is certainly a factor. Think about the run the Braves had, where they demolished the Athletics, Nationals, Pirates, Reds, Diamondbacks and Cubs from early June through the middle of July.
Looking ahead, the Mets’ schedule ranks as seventh easiest in MLB for the rest of the season, while the Braves’ upcoming agenda of games ranks as the 13th softest. The Phillies, who are hanging around and have been hot, play the ninth lightest schedule until the end of the season. Let’s take a look at some key matchups, as the Mets seek to secure their first division title since 2015.
The Mets will play the Dodgers three times (at Citi Field) and the Yankees twice (in the Bronx). Buck Showalter‘s crew will also take on the Braves and Phillies seven times each, and the suddenly fading Milwaukee Brewers three times. The Mets will see the struggling Nationals six times (all at Citi Field), the Pirates seven times, the Colorado Rockies four times, the Athletics three times, and the Cubs three times.
The Braves’ most formidable opponents will be the Mets, Astros (three games), Phillies (seven) and Mariners (three). Brian Snitker‘s team will face off against the “second division” Nationals (six times), Marlins (ten), Athletics (two), Pirates (three) and Rockies (three).
Overall, the Braves’ competition over their last 52 games posts a .496 winning percentage, while the Mets will face teams with a combined .479 winning percentage, per Tankathon.
The Mets trail the Dodgers by five games for the best record in the National League, which will determine home-field advantage in the playoffs. The Dodgers’ remaining schedule ranks just one notch ahead of that of the Braves in terms of difficulty, with the opposition Los Angeles will face holding a combined winning percentage of .498.
Coming down the stretch, every game will be important. The Mets cannot afford missteps against inferior competition and have to do what they have been doing all year–beating the teams they’re supposed to beat. The Mets are 10-3 against the Nationals and 10-4 against the Marlins, for example. The only teams to hold winning records against the Mets are the Padres (4-2), Astros (4-0), and Mariners (2-1).
The Mets have not had a losing month in 2022, with their 13-12 record in June their weakest month thus far. Since the All-Star break, the Mets are 13-4. The guys in orange and blue are also 35-18 at Citi Field, yet another reason home field advantage will be important.
The New York Mets are having a solid season all around. They’re a good team, playing consistently well, and even better since their recent acquisitions of Daniel Vogelbach, Tyler Naquin, and Darin Ruf. Add the return of Jacob deGrom and the stellar work of the Max Scherzer/Edwin Diaz combination, and the final third of the season should be a fun ride.
