Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The 2023 season is almost here. Can you believe it?!

You know what time it is — prediction time! What record will the Mets end with? Will they make it to the postseason? Take the division? Here’s what we think.

John Sheridan

Mets Record: 89-73

NL East: Braves
NL Central: Cardinals
NL West: Padres
NL WC: Mets, Phillies, Giants

AL East: Blue Jays
AL Central: Twins
AL West: Astros
AL WC: Yankees, Angels, Rays

James Villani

Mets Record: 95-67

NL East: Braves
NL Central: Cardinals
NL West: Padres
NL WC: Dodgers, Mets, Brewers

AL East: Blue Jays
AL Central: White Sox
AL West: Astros
AL WC: Yankees, Mariners, Guardians

Christian De Block

Mets Record: 92-70

NL East: Phillies
NL Central: Cardinals
NL West: Padres
NL WC: Mets, Braves, Dodgers

AL East: Yankees
AL Central: Guardians
AL West: Astros
AL WC: Mariners, Blue Jays, Twins

Chris Bello

Mets Record: 94-68

NL East: Mets
NL Central: Cardinals
NL West: Padres
NL WC: Braves, Dodgers, Brewers

AL East: Blue Jays
AL Central: Guardians
AL West: Astros
AL Wildcard: Yankees, Mariners, Angels

Johnluke Chaparro

Mets Record: 96-66

NL East: Mets
NL Central: Cardinals
NL West: Dodgers
NL WC: Phillies, Padres, Braves

AL East: Blue Jays
AL Central: Guardians
AL West: Astros
AL WC: Mariners, Rays, Twins

Dan Quiñones

Mets Record: 97-65

NL East: Mets
NL Central: Cardinals
NL West: Padres
NL WC: Braves, Dodgers, Phillies

AL East: Yankees
AL Central: Guardians
AL West: Astros
AL WC: Mariners, Blue Jays, Rays

Patrick Glynn

Mets Record: 96-66

NL East: Mets
NL Central: Cardinals
NL West: Dodgers
NL WC: Padres, Phillies, Braves

AL East: Yankees
AL Central: Guardians
AL West: Astros
AL WC: Blue Jays, Angels, Rays

Mojo Hill

Mets Record: 94-68

NL East: Mets
NL Central: Cardinals
NL West: Dodgers
NL WC: Braves, Phillies, Padres

AL East: Yankees
AL Central: Guardians
AL West: Angels
AL WC: Rangers, Blue Jays, Astros

Andrew Steele-Davis

Mets Record: 98-64

NL East: Braves
NL Central: Cardinals
NL West: Padres
NL WC: Mets, Phillies, Dodgers

AL East: Yankees
AL Central: Guardians
AL West: Astros
AL WC: Blue Jays, Mariners, Angels

Rich Sparago

Mets Record: 94-68

NL East: Mets
NL Central: Cardinals
NL West: Padres
NL WC: Braves, Phillies, Dodgers

AL East: Blue Jays
AL Central: Guardians
AL West: Astros
AL WC: Yankees, Mariners, Rangers

Michelle Ioannou

Mets Record: 94-68

NL East: Braves
NL Central: Cardinals
NL West: Dodgers
NL WC: Mets, Phillies, Padres

AL East: Blue Jays
AL Central: Guardians
AL West: Astros
AL WC: Yankees, Angels, Rays

The post MMO Roundtable: Mets Record, Division and Playoff Predictions appeared first on Metsmerized.

Oct 15, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies Bryce Harper celebrates with his team after winning game four of the NLDS for the 2022 MLB Playoffs against the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Does the current MLB playoff format need to change?

Following the elimination of the 101-win Mets, Braves, and 111-win Dodgers some are questioning baseball’s current postseason schedule with both the 87-win Philadelphia Phillies and 89-win San Diego Padres as the two teams remaining in the National League.

2022 saw the unveiling of a new format that expands the number of teams and the Wild Card round. Baseball increased the number of teams from 10 to 12 and the single-elimination Wild Card game (used from 2012-19 and 2021) was replaced by a best-of-three Wild Card Series.

If it weren’t for the rule changes the Phillies wouldn’t have made the playoffs nor would the now-eliminated Tampa Bay Rays.

There was no uproar following the Mets losing a three-game series to the Padres in the Wild Card. There were only questions when the Dodgers and Braves each lost in the Division Series that was the same format as before.

So did those two teams sit at home for too long? Were they rusty? Or, did they just get beat?

Here’s what the Mets, Braves, and Dodgers all have in common. They all only had one playoff win and none of them advanced.

MLB’s new playoff system is a train wreck. Division winners like the Dodgers, Braves, Cardinals, and Yankees should only be driven from the playoffs after losing a best-of-seven series.
ALREADY OUT
Dodgers— 111 wins
Braves— 101 wins
Mets— 101 wins

— Joe Scarborough (@JoeNBC) October 16, 2022

But is it a trainwreck? Or is it a case of small samples? Sure the argument could be made that seven-game series’ should be mandatory but looking on the other side of the bracket, each of the final two teams (Astros and Guardians/Yankees) won their division.

Baseball is weird. We know this. Look at the regular season. The Mets were swept by the 74-88 Cubs. The Braves lost series to the 69-93 Marlins and 74-88 Diamondbacks. The Dodgers were swept by the 62-100 Pirates.

Anyone can beat anyone. Usually, that gets evened out in longer series. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case in the National League this season. The Dodgers have made the playoffs for 10 consecutive years and have one World Series win from it. Winning in the playoffs isn’t easy.

Let’s check in on what Mr. Only I Can Have An Opinion On Baseball said.

I like the Phils way more than the Braves, I've come to dislike the Dodgers, and Bob Melvin is a friend of mine

But if the NLCS is a 3rd Place team that ended 11 out vs a team that ended 22 out, either the playoffs are screwed up or the season is there just to empty your wallet

— Keith Olbermann↙️ (@KeithOlbermann) October 15, 2022

There you have it folks. The playoffs are screwed up or the season is there to empty your wallet.

When baseball was popular and the World Series owned America for a week, it was because the best teams had been decided over a balanced 154 or 162 game schedule. Today, the World Series is a niche event only for fans of the two teams. It crowns the champs of a month, not a year.

— Keith Olbermann↙️ (@KeithOlbermann) October 15, 2022

I personally enjoy it when only two teams can compete for something. Why should I have hope? I know I’m a Mets fan but come on, just a little taste.

The playoff system isn’t broken because you didn’t get the desired outcome. That’s the joy of playoffs. It’s what makes a single-elimination event like March Madness so fun.

Anything is better than the single-game Wild Card and that’s a hill I’ll proudly die on.

Simply put, the Braves and Dodgers got beat. Now the Phillies and Padres will compete for the National League crown. Would anyone believe you if you told them that two months ago? No, unless you grew up with a poster of a Friar of Phanatic on your wall.

Enjoy baseball. There’s not much left. Don’t blame the format, blame your team and fight with strangers online instead. MLB loves money so don’t think they won’t find another reason to expand playoffs and when it benefits your team you’ll love it.

The post Does The New Playoff Format Need Changing? appeared first on Metsmerized.

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The Mets have a big decision to make on Friday and it’s a decision that could haunt them one way or another. Buck and company need to decide on the immediate future of Francisco Álvarez. Will the playoff lights be too bright for the future star? Or will he shine bright on baseball’s biggest stage?

After standing pat at the trade deadline when it came to finding another big bat, the Mets chose a much more strategic route. They traded for situational hitters as opposed to a unique bat that could do it all. Their first move was for Daniel Vogelbach, who would come in to face right-handed pitchers, and their second move was for Darin Ruf, who would come in to face left-handed pitchers.

During the first couple of weeks, everything was working fine, but it was bound to come back and bite the Mets and it did with Ruf going completely cold after a 6-for-18 start with the Mets. The veteran lefty masher has gone 4-for-48 with 16 strikeouts since August 18. Given Ruf’s struggles, the Mets called up slugging prospect Mark Vientos. While Vientos has looked better recently, he still only has a .546 OPS in 41 big-league plate appearances. 

Throughout that period, Mets fans and media members alike continued calling on one name everyone felt the Mets needed to have on their roster sooner than later. And while Eppler tried his best to fend off the chants for Álvarez, it looks like the Mets GM prefers to live by the quote “better late than never.”

Unfortunately, Eppler didn’t realize that never late is better. After waiting for the season to be nearly over, the Mets called up Álvarez in hopes that he would help lift a slumping offense over the experienced and determined Atlanta Braves. The Mets were unfortunately swept by the Braves and Álvarez went hitless in his at-bats against the defending champs. It certainly would’ve been a wiser move to promote Álvarez to face the lowly A’s to get him reps in the majors before the most important series of the season. 

You would think that after that showing against the Braves it would be wise to keep Álvarez off of the playoff roster but you’re wrong. With James McCann being one of the worst hitters in baseball this season with a 55 OPS+ and the Mets options at DH vs left-handers underwhelming, it would be wise for the Mets to carry Álvarez as an option to pinch hit and take at-bats as the designated hitter.

Photo by James Farrance

While he does have experience in catching for deGrom and Scherzer, he also has the best bat out of the three catchers. Certainly having Álvarez start a playoff game at only 20 years old behind the plate would be a tall task, though it would give Buck Showalter more options off the bench if the youngster was available. 

While he was called up to go against left-handed pitchers, Álvarez has collected his first two hits at the MLB level off of good right-handed relief pitchers.

He took Washing Nationals reliever Carl Edwards Jr. deep as a pinch hitter on Tuesday for a 439-foot bomb at Citi Field. He then hit a double off of another right-hander in Erasmo Ramirez. While these were just sample-size hits, the key to this is that Álvarez can be effective against lefties and righties and that’s what the Mets will need the most in the playoffs.

Álvarez got his first big league start at catcher on Wednesday and went 0-for-2 but picked up his first two major league walks. 

It’s certainly a small sample size of only a handful of games, however, Álvarez has looked like a player that has settled down after an intense first series in the majors. 

While the ultimate decision will come down to comfort for the Mets, the team should go all in if they want to make a run. To go all in would mean that they have to make some uncomfortable decisions even if it’s risky to have a 20-year-old rookie at DH. Fortunately, Álvarez is a high-risk, high-reward kind of player so this could pay off big time.

The post Mets Need Francisco Álvarez On Their Playoff Roster appeared first on Metsmerized.

Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

With just three games remaining in the regular season and the Mets trailing the Braves by 1.5 games, the Mets are all but certain to be playing in the Wild Card round (unless the Mets are able to sweep the Nationals and the Marlins beat the Braves in the next two games). Their path to a World Series is not as clear as it was when a division title looked likely, but with the talent in their rotation, the Mets are capable of making noise in the postseason no matter who they play.

Given an appearance in the Wild Card game is the most likely scenario, here’s how the Mets’ rotation could potentially line up for the postseason.

Wild Card Game 1: Jacob deGrom

Although the series didn’t go as planned, the Mets made it clear how they prefer to lineup their pitching staff with how they lined up in Atlanta. To nobody’s surprise, Jacob deGrom should be taking the mound for the Mets’ first postseason game in six years.

Wild Card Game 2: Max Scherzer

When the Mets signed Max Scherzer to the record setting three-year deal, the focus was immediately on how big it would be for the Mets to throw him and deGrom back-to-back in a postseason series. Since returning to the National League with the Nationals in 2015, Scherzer has pitched to a 2.73 ERA with 80 strikeouts in 66 postseason innings.

Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Wild Card Game 3: Chris Bassitt

Should the Mets reach a decisive third game in the Wild Card round, Chris Bassitt should be the Mets’ starter. When the Mets acquired Bassitt prior to the start of the season, it gave them a trio at the top of their rotation that can compete with anyone. Bassitt has made two postseason starts in his career, allowing four runs over 11 innings in the 2020 postseason.

NLDS Game 1: Taijuan Walker

If the Mets win the first two games of the Wild Card round, Bassitt would be the first choice to start the first game of the NLDS. If that series goes three games, the best option to start the division series is Taijuan Walker. Since joining the Mets, Walker has faced the Dodgers four times and has given them a chance to win in all four games. In those starts, Walker has a 3.80 ERA and 19 strikeouts over 23 2/3 innings. The Mets could also opt to give the ball to deGrom on four days rest since the division series starts on Tuesday, but if they want to give their co-aces a full five days of rest, Walker gives them the best shot in Game 1.

NLDS Game 2: Jacob deGrom

With the Wild Card round starting on Friday and Game 2 of the NLDS being scheduled for Wednesday, deGrom would be in line to make the start for the Mets on regular rest. Getting swept in Atlanta made their path much more difficult, but the Mets are fortunate that they can still get their top arms lined up by Game 2. It has been seven years since deGrom pitched for the Mets in a postseason game, but the Mets’ ace has already proven he is capable of handling the bright lights of Dodger Stadium in October.

NLDS Game 3: Max Scherzer

With a travel day scheduled for the teams to fly to New York, Scherzer would be pitching with an extra day of rest in Game 3. Scherzer experienced a “dead arm” during his postseason run with the Dodgers last season that he believed was a result of pushing his limits after easing his way into the postseason with his pitch counts in the regular season. The added day of rest could be beneficial for the future Hall of Famer.

Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports

NLDS Game 4: Chris Bassitt

Depending on where the Mets stand in the series after three games, it would not be out of the question for Bassitt to start Game 4 regardless of who pitched in Game 1. With the travel day, the Game 1 starter would still be pitching on four days of rest in Game 4. If the Mets’ season was on the line, it would not come as a surprise to see them turn to Bassitt due to his stronger track record. Bassitt has faced the Dodgers twice in 2022, pitching to a 3.75 ERA over two six-inning starts. Walker could be an option to start Game 4 if he is not the Game 1 starter, but Bassitt should be the most likely choice.

NLDS Game 5: Jacob deGrom

If the Mets are faced with a do-or-die game in Los Angeles, there is nobody better prepared for it than deGrom. While the Dodgers have certainly improved since their last Game 5 match-up with deGrom in 2015, deGrom has as well. Despite being on four days of rest, there is nobody who should get the ball over the best pitcher in baseball in a winner-take-all game.

Morale for the fanbase understandably took a hit after the tough series in Atlanta, but the talent in the Mets’ rotation is more than enough to turn it around quickly once the postseason starts on Friday. It is certainly a tougher task having to get through a Wild Card series then play the Dodgers, but if there is a team with a pitching staff that can handle it, it’s the Mets.

The post Projecting the Mets’ Potential Playoff Rotation Through Two Rounds appeared first on Metsmerized.

Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Good morning, Mets fans!

The Phillies clinched their first playoff spot since 2011 with a 3-0 win over the Astros. Kyle Schwarber hit two more homers to extend his NL-leading total to 46.

Meanwhile, the Mets were rained out Monday, so they will play a single-admission doubleheader against the Nationals today starting at 4:10 p.m. The Marlins shut out the Braves 4-0 behind Jesús Luzardo, who struck out 12 over six innings. With that, the Mets’ elimination number in the NL East remains at one as they trail Atlanta by 1.5 games. Carlos Carrasco (15-7, 3.95 ERA) and Taijuan Walker (12-5, 3.59 ERA) will start today’s games in some order, and they will face off against Cory Abbott (0-4, 5.11 ERA) and Paolo Espino (0-8, 4.30 ERA).

Latest Mets News

The Mets’ expected first-round matchup will be broadcasted on ESPN this week. Karl Ravech, David Cone, and Eduardo Perez will be on the call.

Eduardo Escobar was named NL Player of the Month for September. Escobar hit a blistering .333/.383/.619 with eight homers and 25 RBIs in 28 games during the month.

Buck Showalter said Starling Marte‘s finger has shown a little progress, but nothing to the point where he could be nearing a return. Marte attempted to take some swings against soft-toss pitching with two hands, but the results weren’t very encouraging.

Latest MLB News

MLB announced that 1.64 million fans attended games this weekend, which was the best-attended weekend in the final month of a season since 2014. In addition, Friday’s average attendance of 35,101 was the highest mark for a September Friday since September 28, 2006.

The Giants placed third baseman Evan Longoria and former Mets southpaw Thomas Szapucki on the 15-day IL. In addition, San Francisco summoned lefty Andrew Vasquez and outfielder Bryce Johnson from Triple-A Sacramento and transferred left-hander Alex Wood to the 60-day IL.

Latest on MMO

Nate Mendelson looks at Escobar’s great month of September.

Nate Mendelson previews the Mets’ final regular-season series against the Nationals.

On This Date in Mets History

1969: In the first ever NLCS game, the Mets defeat the Braves 9-5. Tom Seaver battles through seven innings and the Mets score five unearned runs in the eighth inning against Phil Niekro to put the game away.

1999: Edgardo Alfonzo hits a first-inning two-run homer, and Al Leiter tosses a complete-game two-hit shutout as the Mets defeat the Reds in game 163 at Cinergy Field to advance to the NLDS. Rickey Henderson adds in a homer of his own and Robin Ventura drives in his 120th run of the year.

2006: In the second inning of the first game of the NLDS, Paul Lo Duca tags out both Jeff Kent and J.D. Drew as they attempt to score on Russell Martin‘s long single to right field. Carlos Delgado and Cliff Floyd both homer in the fourth inning, though the Dodgers fight back against the Mets’ bullpen after emergency starter John Maine lasts just 4 1/3 innings. Delgado adds an RBI single and David Wright doubles him in in the seventh inning to put the Mets up 6-4. Billy Wagner bends but doesn’t break to secure a 6-5 victory.

2009: In the last game of the regular season, 35-year-old Nelson Figueroa tosses a complete-game four-hit shutout as the Mets beat the Astros 4-0. Figueroa throws 113 pitches and strikes out seven in the first and only complete game of his career.

2021: The Mets dismiss Luis Rojas from his role as the team’s manager. He compiled a disappointing 103-119 (.464) record in his two seasons at the helm.

Birthdays: Dennis Cook (60)

The post Morning Briefing: Phillies Clinch First Playoff Appearance Since 2011 appeared first on Metsmerized.

Good morning, Mets fans!

The Seattle Mariners Friday ended their 21 year postseason drought thanks to a pinch-hit, walk-off home run off the bat of Cal Raleigh. The magical moment clinched the club a spot in the playoffs as a Wild Card team, marking the first time they will be in the Postseason since 2001.

The Mets didn’t have the same magic Friday night, as they fell to the Braves 5-2.  Jacob deGrom surrendered three solo home runs to Austin Riley, Matt Olson, and Dansby Swanson. The Mets made a push in the ninth, as they had the bases loaded with two out. However, after long battle with Kenley Jansen, Tyler Naquin struck out to end the game. Chris Bello wrote a further recap of the loss.

Latest Mets News

Tim Healey of Newsday reported that Francisco Álvarez was on his way to Miami following the minor league season when he received the call that he was being promoted.

Latest MLB News

Matt Monagan of MLB reported that team Pakistan has three pitchers that are 16 years old in the World Baseball Classic.

Justin Toscano of AJC reported that Spencer Strider has not yet begun throwing.

The Braves announced that they signed Charlie Morton to a one-year, $20 million contract for the 2023 season, with a $20 million club option for 2024.

The Rays earned their way back into the playoffs.

Latest on MMO

Michael Mayer wrote on the roster moves made Friday.

Christian De Block wrote a series preview on the Mets series in Atlanta.

John Sheridan wrote that the promotion of Francisco Álvarez means that they have seen enough of Darin Ruf.

Michael Mayer examined how the Mets-Braves series will impact the division race.

On This Date in Mets History

1973: The Mets win the National East Division on the final day of the season.

2016: The Mets clinch the top spot in the National League Wild Card race, slated to take on the Giants in a one-game playoff. It marked back-to-back seasons in the playoffs for the Mets, and the last time they would get there until 2022.

2017: Oh what a difference a year makes, as Terry Collins officially resigned as Mets manager. Over seven seasons as Mets manager, Collins lead the team to a World Series and a Wild Card, and 551-583 record.

The post Morning Briefing: Mariners End Playoff Drought appeared first on Metsmerized.

Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

With eight games remaining in the regular season and holding on to a one-game lead over Atlanta, the Mets sent Carlos Carrasco to the mound Tuesday night to face a frail Marlins lineup. Carrasco did the Mets no favors and allowed four earned runs in three innings. The Mets played from behind the rest of the night and eventually lost to the fourth-place Marlins by the score of 6-4.

The ill performance by Carrasco was unusual by his standards, as the right-hander has pitched to an ERA of 2.14 against non-playoff teams. However, the right-hander hasn’t looked sharp against Major League Baseball’s best teams and owns an ERA of 6.71 against playoff teams this season.

Carrasco’s poor start on Tuesday raises questions in regards to how the Mets’ rotation will look in October. With Jacob deGrom, Max Scherzer, and Chris Bassitt locking down the first three rotation spots, the Mets will have a plethora of options for their final spot if they advance past the Wild Card round of the playoffs.

Taijuan Walker is the obvious answer and most probable starter to take Carrasco’s spot in the playoff rotation. The second year Met is having another fine season and has pitched to an ERA of 3.53 in 27 starts. The glaring issue with Walker is his durability due to his injury history. Walker has struggled again in the second half and has given up 10 home runs in 56 1/3 innings since the all-star break.

The Mets could also get creative with Trevor Williams, David Peterson, and Tylor Megill all currently in the bullpen, but have been starters and are capable of going multiple innings if the Mets want to simply use multiple pitchers for two-to-three innings to begin a game.

While the Mets will have an important decision to make come playoff time, their focus will be on winning the division. After Tuesday’s loss to the Marlins, the Mets and Braves are tied for first in the National League East. With seven games remaining in the regular season, and three against each other, the Mets find themselves in another nail-biting finish to the last game. The Mets will be in good company, as they will send out deGrom, Scherzer, and Bassitt against the home run slugging Braves.

The post How Will Carrasco’s Struggles Impact Playoff Rotation appeared first on Metsmerized.

Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

It’s been 2,176 days since the New York Mets played in a playoff game. It’ll be just about 20 more until they finally play in another.

Monday night, the 2022 iteration of the Mets clinched a playoff berth with a 7-2 win over the Milwaukee Brewers. They did so behind six perfect innings from Max Scherzer and and a three-run blast from Pete Alonso off Corbin Burnes, the reigning NL Cy Young. Owner Steve Cohen made an appearance to watch it all unfold.

“We understand this isn’t the end goal, but it’s part of our destiny,” Francisco Lindor said after the win.

That destiny was conjured after Cohen’s spending this offseason with the additions of Scherzer, Starling Marte, Mark Canha and others. (Buck Showalter, some would say, was the best acquisition among them.) Cohen launched the payroll into $290 million territory while getting a luxury tax threshold named after himself to show his commitment to the goal.

“This is the first step,” Cohen said during the team’s “modest” celebration of their goal to reach the World Series,  knowing the next step comes with winning the division. That “modest” celebration included Coors Light, “October Rise” postseason shirts and a group photo in front of the third base line at American Family Field.

Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

The Mets have been steady all season, winning 94 of their 149 games to this point, taking two-of-three from just about every team they’ve played. They have been swept one time. They haven’t lost more than three games in a row at any point so far. You’ll win a lot of games that way. The first 54 games? They went 35-19. The next 54? 34-20. And the final 54? They’re on pace to go 33-21.

In previous seasons, postseason hopes dwindled in June with long losing streaks and dreaded West Coast trips. This June, the Mets went toe-to-toe with the Dodgers, who clinched their own playoff berth and division last week, and finished the month above .500 for the first time in 10 years. They were down Scherzer and Jacob deGrom then, too.

Brandon Nimmo, the second-longest-tenured Met, noted that there have been “many years of hard work to get to the point,” speaking for the likes of himself, Alonso, Jeff McNeil and others, who have seen those recent ebbs in June and will experience the postseason for the first time.

Once the cavalry was resupplied into July, the team kept on its winning pace and maintained first place in the NL East (to this point) every day but one where they fell behind the Atlanta Braves by a half game. They reclaimed that lead a day later and have tried to fight off the reigning World Series champs despite their historic pace since June 1, when they kicked off a stretch of 14 straight wins. (They’re on a 115-win pace since then.)

But that is what the last chapter of the Mets’ 2022 regular season is all about: fighting off the Braves and winning the NL East.

The winner of the division will earn the second seed in the National League, giving them a series off until round two, when they’d play either the top NL Wild Card (the loser of the division). It’d give them the opportunity to reset their rotation with deGrom, Scherzer and Bassitt facing off against an opponent who might have to use its fourth starter in Game 1 of the NLDS.

In all likelihood, the NL East crown will come down to the final three games the teams play together from September 30 to October 2. (It was originally scheduled to be final series of the season, but the lockout-induced late start makes it the penultimate one.) Eyes across MLB will be locked onto the series, as it’s likely the only division that won’t be wrapped up with five or six games left. FOX picked up the Saturday game. ESPN picked up the Sunday game.

And if they do win the division, then the team will really celebrate. Anticipate a couple more Coors, expensive champagne and a lot of laundry. (“You’ll see me do something stupid, Showalter joked, kind of.)

“We know we’re not done yet,” McNeil said amidst Monday night’s festivities. “We’re going to come in tomorrow and play hard. Nothing’s changed.”

Except for people outside of the dugout, it’s a sign of a new regime, a new hope and a new expectation. The Mets have 13 more games and an entire postseason to keep pushing those dreams.

The post With Eyes on Division Title, Mets Cherish Playoff Berth appeared first on Metsmerized.

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Coming off of a four-game sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates at home, the Mets hit the road and opened an important three-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers. The Mets entered Monday night’s game with a 93-55 record, one game over the Atlanta Braves in the NL East, and with a “magic number” of two to clinch a spot in the 2022 MLB postseason.

All the Mets needed was one win in this three-game series in order to clinch their first trip to the postseason since 2016.

And they did it.

The Mets defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 7-2 on Monday night, utilizing six perfect innings from Max Scherzer.

Scherzer, having just come off of the injured list, was on a pitch count. He did not waste a single one of those pitches as he retired all 18 batters he faced and struck out nine over the course of six perfect innings pitched.

Both Scherzer and Brewers pitcher Corbin Burnes looked strong through the first two innings, retiring their respective sides in order to open the first two innings of the game and the series. Scherzer collected two strikeouts in the first and a strikeout in the second for three strikeouts through two innings.

The Mets were the first to put a baserunner on in the third inning. Eduardo Escobar got the Mets going with a one-out single to third to reach. However, Tomas Nido grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Scherzer continued to look solid and composed in the third, once again retiring the Brewers in order and collecting his fourth strikeout of the night. He had only thrown 33 pitches threw three innings of work.

The Mets found their bats in the fourth. After Brandon Nimmo grounded out to open the inning, Francisco Lindor and Jeff McNeil hit back-to-back singles to put two on with one out for Pete Alonso. Alonso followed up the two singles in clutch fashion, hitting a towering three-run home run to left field that scored Lindor and McNeil to give the Mets a 3-0 lead over the Brewers in the fourth. That RBI marked seven straight games in which Alonso had driven in at least one run, the longest streak of his career. That was also his 36th RBI of the season and his 118th RBI of his career.

Pete Alonso just murdered a baseball. A huge home run in both sense as it gives the #Mets a 3-0 lead.

Oh yeah, he did it against Corbin Burnes too.

Alonso’s 36th of the season. He now has 118 RBI.

3-0 #Mets, top 4. pic.twitter.com/prumdCjwXr

— Metsmerized Online (@Metsmerized) September 20, 2022

Scherzer kept cruising in the fourth. He retired the Brewers in order once again and struck out two to bring his strikeout count to six strikeouts through four innings played.

Once again, Scherzer looked very composed in the fifth. He struck out two as he retired the Brewers and had faced the minimum through five innings.

The Mets continued to back up their starter and swing hot bats in the sixth as they added two more insurance runs for Scherzer. Nimmo led off the inning with a triple to deep center field to start the inning. He was followed by Lindor who also tripled, but deep to right field to score Nimmo and extend the Mets’ lead to 4-0 over the Brewers in the sixth with no outs.

Back-to-back triples by Brandon Nimmo and Francisco Lindor results in another #Mets’ run.

New York still threatening for more damage with no outs.

4-0 #Mets, top 6. pic.twitter.com/592sofaA3U

— Metsmerized Online (@Metsmerized) September 20, 2022

Three batters later, Vogelbach doubled to center field to score Lindor and extend the Mets’ lead over the Brewers to 5-0.

Daniel Vogelbach adds a two-out RBI via a double.

That’s five runs against Corbin Burnes in 5 2/3 innings. He’s being pulled from the game after being forced to throw 100 pitches.

Not too shabby by the Mets’ bats.

5-0 #Mets, top 6. pic.twitter.com/LLwkYEZ9My

— Metsmerized Online (@Metsmerized) September 20, 2022

After a walk to Cahna, the Brewers pulled Burnes and replaced him on the mound with Jake Cousins. Cousins came in to get the final out of the inning on a strikeout of Tyler Naquin.

Corbin Burnes’ final line:

5.2 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 4 SO, 1 HR< 3.12 ERA

Scherzer came back out for what was likely going to be his final inning of work in the sixth knowing he was on a pitch count and he just kept punching through the Brewers lineup, once again retiring the Brewers in order yet another perfect inning and collecting another strikeout, his ninth of the night.

The Mets kept the offense going in the seventh. Escobar led-off the inning with a double to left field. Two batters later Nimmo walked to put two on for the Mets with one out. Cousins retired the next two batters he faced, however, to avoid further damage.

As expected, the Mets went to their bullpen in the seventh as Scherzer was on a firm pitch count in his first appearance back from the injured list. The Mets brought in Tylor Megill to replace Scherzer on the mound. Megill was also making his first start since coming off of the injured list. Megill’s stint on the injured list was longer than that of Scherzer’s. Megill spent 60-days on the injured list with a shoulder injury.

Max Scherzer’s final line:

6.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 9 SO, 68 pitches. A perfect night.

Max Scherzer: 18 up, 18 down, and 9 strikeouts.

Though, likely nearing the end of his night given the first start back from injury as he’s at 68 pitches.

5-0 #Mets, top 7.pic.twitter.com/WFoNyf3TZJ

— Metsmerized Online (@Metsmerized) September 20, 2022

As Scherzer exited and Megill entered, the perfect game also went away as Megill immediately gave up a lead-off double to Christian Yelich on his first pitch in the seventh. Two batters later, Megill gave up a one-out, two-run home to Rowdy Tellez to put the Brewers on the board and make it a 5-2 game as Tellez drove in Yelich for the Brewers’ first two runs of the game.

Following the home run, Megill retired the next two he faced getting out of the inning.

The Brewers once again went to their bullpen in the eighth. They brought in Justin Topa to replace Cousins on the mound. Topa represented Milwaukee’s third pitcher of the night.

Jake Cousins’ final line:

1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO, 0 HR, 3.86 ERA

The Mets answered right back in the eighth Alonso led off with a walk and later stole second. Three batters later, Naquin singled to center field to score Alonso and extend the Mets’ lead over the Brewers to 6-2. Naquin advanced to second on a throwing error by Garrett Mitchell.

After another Pete Alonso stolen base, Tyler Naquin sneaks a ball up the middle for another run.

6-2 #Mets, top 8. pic.twitter.com/0KIEG34xq8

— Metsmerized Online (@Metsmerized) September 20, 2022

Topa intentionally walked Escobar to put two on with two outs. Nido then came up and spoiled the Brewers’ intentional walk with a line drive single to center field that scored Naquin and advanced Escobar to second as the Mets re-claimed a five-run lead extending their lead to 7-2 over the Brewers.

After a two-out mound visit, Topa got out of the inning with a ground out of Nimmo. But the Mets answered back and backed their pitching staff. They led it 7-2 heading into the bottom of the eighth.

Another one.

Tomás Nido, who now owns a seven-game hitting streak, drives in the #Mets’ seventh run of the game.

7-2 #Mets, middle 8. pic.twitter.com/pkmThXUOON

— Metsmerized Online (@Metsmerized) September 20, 2022

The Mets went back to their bullpen in the eighth as well. They brought in Seth Lugo to replace Megill on the mound.

Megill gave up a lead-off single to Andrew McCutchen to open the eighth, but settled in and retired the next three he faced to keep the Mets’ lead well in tact as the game headed to the ninth inning.

The Brewers went back to their bullpen in the ninth and brought in their fourth pitcher of the night. They brought in Peter Strzelecki to replace Topa on the mound.

Topa’s final line:

1.0 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 SO, 3.38 ERA

Strzelecki retired three of the four he faced, striking out two and walking one to send the game to the bottom of the ninth.

The Mets’ final call to the bullpen in the ninth as they brought in Adam Ottavino to replace Lugo on the mound.

Lugo’s final line:

1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 SO, 0 HR, 3.17 ERA

Ottavino gave up a quick lead-off double to Yelich to give the Brewers hope but he retired the next three he faced to close it out and solidify the Mets’ 7-2 win over the Brewers.

With Monday’s win, Scherzer collected his 200th win and the New York Mets clinched a spot in the 2022 MLB Post-Season for the first time since 2006.

MMO Player of the Game

Our Metsmerized Player of the Game from Monday night’s game is, as expected, the perfect Max Scherzer, who three six perfect innings, retiring all 18 he faced and struck out nine on just 68 pitches thrown (47 for strikes) on the way to the 200th win of his prestigious career.

The post Mets Clinch Playoff Berth With 7-2 Win appeared first on Metsmerized.

Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY

Thanks to their victory Sunday against the Pittsburgh Pirates, the New York Mets are one win over the Milwaukee Brewers away from clinching a playoff berth. Clinching a playoff spot would see the Mets return to the postseason for the first time in six years (2016). This all made possible thanks to the Mets’ 7-3 victory over Pittsburgh, and the Brewers 12-8 defeat at the hands of the New York Yankees on Sunday.

With the Mets’ magic number now two, and the Brewers coincidentally welcoming New York to Milwaukee for a three-game set beginning Monday night, the Mets can simply clinch a playoff berth via win as soon as tomorrow night (Monday). To put it simply, any win by the Mets over the Brewers during the teams’ three-game series would clinch a Mets’ playoff berth.

The Mets can clinch a playoff spot with a win over the Brewers on Monday (or any win in the series). pic.twitter.com/oysh7oZxWm

— Metsmerized Online (@Metsmerized) September 18, 2022

Game one of the series is slated for Monday night at 7:40 P.M. ET. The game will feature two aces, as the Mets will run out Max Scherzer, in his first start back from injury. Meanwhile, the Brewers turn to their ace, Corbin Burnes (2.97 ERA). If New York does not get it done tomorrow, the Mets will have Carlos Carrasco going in game two and Taijuan Walker in game three. The Brewers have yet to announce a starting pitcher in game two, but will turn to Adrian Houser (4.85 ERA) in the third game of the series.

Worth pointing out, if the Mets were to get swept by Milwaukee, any New York win after the series would knock that magic number of two down by one. Same thing with any Brewers’ loss. That’s why it can be decided as soon as tomorrow.

Of course, the Mets clinching a playoff spot at this point is all but said and done. The bigger attention-grabber is the race for the division, which is far from over. With another victory on Sunday, the Atlanta Braves still only trail the Mets by a single game, with two games less played than New York.

The Mets and Braves will met for a three-game series in Atlanta from September 30 through October 2. Worth noting, if the Mets win at least one of those three games in Atlanta, they would own the tiebreaker for the division over the Braves. That in case those two teams are tied in the standings at season’s end.

Regardless, both the Mets and Mets’ fans should be ecstatic about the possibility of clinching a playoff spot on Monday. Its been six long years where the Mets’ organization has been through so much. When the clinching does happen, which is inevitable, despite it not being for the division, celebration should certainly be in order. After that, the race continues for the division.

The post Mets Can Clinch First Playoff Berth Since 2016 Monday appeared first on Metsmerized.