The Mets' MLB wild-card playoff scenarios entering Monday's doubleheader
Mets' Francisco Lindor gestures during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Milwaukee. Credit: AP/Aaron Gash
MILWAUKEE — The Mets and Atlanta will play a doubleheader Monday, a makeup of two rainouts last week, to determine both teams’ postseason fates.
Each club is facing the same circumstances: win at least one game and get into the playoffs. Win no games and go home. The Mets and Atlanta are in a virtual tie with the Diamondbacks in the NL wild-card race, the three teams competing for two spots.
Here’s a look at what can happen for the Mets:
* If the Mets win both games, they will enter the playoffs as the No. 5 seed. The Diamondbacks would be sixth. The Mets would travel to San Diego to play the Padres in a best-of-three series beginning Tuesday.
* If the Mets win one game, they will enter the playoffs as the No. 6 seed. Atlanta would be fifth. The Mets would travel back to Milwaukee to play the Brewers in a best-of-three series beginning Tuesday.
* If the Mets win no games, their season would be over. Atlanta would be the No. 5 seed, the Diamondbacks No. 6.
And for Atlanta:
* If Atlanta wins both games, it would enter the playoffs as the No. 5 seed. The Diamondbacks would be sixth. Atlanta would play the Padres in San Diego in a best-of-three series starting Tuesday.
* If Atlanta wins one game, it would enter the playoffs as the No. 5 seed. The Mets would be sixth. Atlanta still would get the Padres in the first round.
* If Atlanta wins no games, its season is over. The Mets would be the No. 5 seed, the Diamondbacks No. 6.
Tim Healey is the Mets beat writer for Newsday. Born on Long Island and raised in Connecticut, Tim has previously worked for the South Florida Sun Sentinel, the Boston Globe and MLB.com. He is also the author of “Hometown Hardball,” a book about minor league baseball in the northeast.
