UPDATE: The New York Mets have plunged into a wild-card tie with the Cincinnati Reds following a stunning 3-2 loss to the last-place Washington Nationals at Citi Field on September 24, 2023. This defeat marks a significant turnaround, ending the Mets’ playoff position for the first time since April 5.
This critical loss comes as both teams now share an 80-76 record, but the Reds hold the tiebreaker after winning their season series. With just one week remaining in the regular season, the Mets are reeling from a series of disappointing performances, having lost 11 of their last 15 games.
“It’s the way it’s gone,” said Mets left fielder Brandon Nimmo. “I can believe it because I’ve watched it. We’ve been watching it happen right in front of us.”
The Mets now face a challenging road trip against the Chicago Cubs and Miami Marlins starting Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Reds are set to host the Pittsburgh Pirates for three games before finishing their schedule on the road against the Milwaukee Brewers. The Arizona Diamondbacks are also lurking just one game behind, holding the tiebreaker over both the Mets and Reds for the final NL wild-card spot.
“We just gotta win,” Mets first baseman Pete Alonso remarked. “It’s simple. Winning solves everything at this point. We just gotta do it.”
Once boasting a league-best 45-24 record through June 12, the Mets have since struggled, going 35-52 from that point onward — one of the worst records in Major League Baseball during that stretch. Their decline has been stark, especially given their status as one of the highest-spending teams in the league.
As the Mets entered the series against the Nationals, they were coming off an encouraging win against the playoff-bound San Diego Padres. However, mistakes haunted them throughout the weekend series. Errors and missed opportunities cost them dearly, including a crucial pick-off and a throwing error that allowed the first run to score.
“If we want to be where we want to be, those things can’t happen,” said shortstop Francisco Lindor, taking full responsibility for the game’s turning points. “I have to be better.”
Mets pitchers Sean Manaea and Clay Holmes struggled again, allowing three runs over six innings, but were ultimately outperformed by the Nationals’ much less expensive pitching duo. The game was notably highlighted by two spectacular catches from Nationals center fielder Jacob Young, including a diving grab that robbed Brett Baty of a potential extra-base hit and a leaping catch that denied a game-tying home run to Francisco Alvarez.
“Those were crazy plays,” said outfielder Cedric Mullins. “In the stretch we’re in, every win matters. To see plays like that made is definitely deflating.”
With only six games left in the regular season, the urgency is palpable for the Mets. According to FanGraphs, they currently hold just a 50.1% chance of making the playoffs, a sharp decline from the 96.2% chance they held on June 12. The pressure is mounting as they strive to turn their fortunes around and secure a postseason berth.
The coming week will be crucial for the Mets’ playoff hopes as they look to regain their footing in a rapidly changing race for the National League wild card. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if the Mets can overcome their recent struggles and reclaim their place in the postseason.
