Can the NY Mets make the MLB playoffs? Their chances of getting a Wild Card berth

The 2024 postseason is right around the corner, and the New York Mets are caught in a dogfight for the Wild Card. As the regular season winds down, Mets fans are anxiously keeping one eye on the standings and the other on their team’s rollercoaster of performances. It’s the same old story in Queens: nothing comes easy, and this season’s been no different.

Right now, the Mets are hanging onto a Wild Card spot by a thread, leading the Atlanta Braves by just one game. It’s tight, but they’ve got a few things going for them. They’ve won the tiebreaker against the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres - two of their biggest competitors for that Wild Card. This gives them a bit of an edge in what’s sure to be a mad dash to the finish line.

But here’s where it gets tricky: the Mets still have a three-game series against the Braves later this month. Both teams are tied in their season series so far, meaning this final face-off will likely decide who gets to play October baseball and who heads home. If the Mets can come out on top, they’ll not only keep the Braves at bay but also control their destiny. Anything less, and things start to get dicey. And don’t forget—every game matters when the margin is this razor-thin.

As it stands, the Mets are in decent shape with around a 58.8% chance of making the playoffs. The odds may seem encouraging, but a lot can still happen. The Braves, sitting just behind them, actually have slightly better postseason odds at 62%, largely due to the unpredictability of the Mets’ remaining schedule. The Mets also have three tough games against the Brewers, a team they haven’t been able to beat all season.

Now, you might be wondering how they got here. The Mets had a rocky start but managed to claw their way back into contention, making fans believe that this might finally be the year they push deep into the playoffs. Their lineup has come alive at the right time, and their bullpen—though shaky early—has held its own in recent weeks. Pitching, of course, remains the Mets’ bread and butter, with their rotation coming through in critical moments. But as any Mets fan will tell you, hope is a dangerous thing in Flushing.

Looking beyond the Mets and Braves, there are other teams breathing down their necks. The Diamondbacks and Padres are still lurking, and both are set to face each other in a series that could have major implications for the entire Wild Card race. If either of those teams catches fire, the Mets might find themselves in a battle not just with the Braves, but with a surging competitor from out West.

For now, though, the Mets control their own fate. If they can hold on during this final stretch, especially in their series against Atlanta, they’ll punch their ticket to the postseason. But as we’ve learned, nothing is ever simple with the Mets. Expect drama, nail-biters, and maybe a little magic - or heartbreak - along the way.