The Mets still somehow lead this weirdly unimpressive race for the final NL wild-card spot, thus their chances to make the playoffs remain decent or better. But at this point, we have to ask: Do they even deserve that postseason spot?
The underachieving, undeniably disappointing 79-74 Mets are barely holding off two teams that sold at the deadline (Diamondbacks, Giants) and one that seems too inexperienced for prime time (Reds).
If the season ended today, the Mets would be in as the National League’s third wild card team under the expanded postseason format. They’re on pace for 84 wins, which would also rank them among the losingest teams ever to reach the playoffs.
One big reason MLB expanded the playoffs was to engage extra fan bases, and one hope was that more small markets would have legit shots at October. Presumably, the goal wasn’t to enable a star-studded $340 million roster to stumble in. Since holding MLB’s best record June 12 at 45-24, the Mets are 34-50, better only than the Nationals, Twins and Rockies. When losing going into the ninth inning this year, they are 0-65, the only MLB team without a win in those circumstances.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
