One thing is for certain, there needs to be playoff baseball in Queens, New York. With a season to remember, the New York Mets have been one of the more fun teams to watch in baseball. Not to mention, the vibes have been immaculate. From the OMG sign for a home run celebration to “the Grimace Mets”, this team has every ounce of positive energy. How they got here is the greatest story.

I feel like we have no choice but to go to a Mets playoff game if and when that takes place in New York. The vibes go too crazy to not partake. pic.twitter.com/xv8NZ2JojO

— Jared Carrabis (@Jared_Carrabis) September 23, 2024

From April 1-May 31, the Mets had a record of 24-31. However, their fortunes took a turn and for the better. Grimmace threw out the first pitch on June 12 and the irony is that it sparked the turnaround. The Mets have been the best team in baseball because from June until this point, the Mets have a 63-36 record, which is a league best. They’ve honored the purple mascot with a purple seat inside Citi Field. Vibes.

They’ve gotten elite play from shortstop Francisco Lindor, who is very much in the running for NL MVP. He has been the heartbeat to the Mets’ successful season and became the third shortstop in MLB history to have five seasons of 30+ home runs. Also, key contributions have come from Brandon Nimmo, Jose Iglesias, Pete Alonso, Mark Vientos, and even prospect call up Luisangel Acuna. This collective effort has helped the Mets stay in the playoff race and it’s been very fun to watch.

Edwin Díaz secures a six-out save 🎺

The @Mets hold a two-game lead over the Braves in the NL Wild Card race with a three-game series in Atlanta starting Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/YGKjcQrNKn

— MLB (@MLB) September 23, 2024

The Mets are riding high off an Edwin Diaz six out save performance in a 2-1 win against the Phillies. Now, they are onto Atlanta to take on the Braves, which is without question the most important snd crucial series of the season. The road to the postseason could be decided this series and brings us to familiar territory.

Entering Familiar Territory

Well this looks familiar doesn’t it? The Mets traveling to Atlanta and NEEDING wins in order to solidify a playoff spot. In 2022, the Mets traveled to Atlanta to the final series of the season and needed just one victory in order to make the playoffs. It didn’t happen, as the Braves swept the series and won the tiebreaker. Let’s hope history doesn’t repeat itself.

While it’s not the final series of the season for the Mets, it’s the most important one. As it stands, the Mets currently sit two games ahead of the Braves for the final wild card spot. This will be a playoff type atmosphere and a playoff type series. It is something both teams will embrace, as they both know what’s at stake. Outfielder Nimmo went on to discuss this saying,

“I feel like we’ve been playing playoff games for the last week or so, and we shouldn’t treat it any differently than that,” Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo said. “You go into there, it’s going to be high-energy, it’s going to be a playoff atmosphere, and it’s going to be great.”

Nimmo is right. Every game has been equally important, especially with the Diamondbacks and Padres also playing some of the best baseball in the league as well. They have maintained their position with that very attitude, which is perfect entering this series. For the Mets, they will be facing the gauntlet of the Braves pitching staff. Let’s briefly preview the pitching matchups in this pivotal series.

Pitching Matchups

If there’s any consolation prize to this matchup, the Mets pitching staff has been among the better half of the league. As it currently stands, the Mets starting pitching staff has a 3.89 ERA which is good for 12th in the league. They’ll be taking on the gauntlet of the Braves rotation. So here’s the pitching preview for the pivotal series among the division rivals.

Game 1: Luis Severino vs Spencer Schwellenbach

What a turnaround it has been for Luis Severino. The Mets went on to sign him to a one year deal and he’s delivered on all fronts for the Mets this season. He has a 3.79 ERA with a 1.22 WHIP. Severino doesn’t generate the most whiffs and is not the highest strikeout guy in the league. However, he doesn’t get hit hard and the ball stays on the ground. Severino hasn’t surrendered more than three earned runs in a single game in the month of September. He will need to be at his best because his opponent has been dynamite.

Spencer Schwellenbach has been a major boost to a rotation that’s lost Spencer Strider at the beginning of the season. He has a 3.61 ERA with a 1.10 WHIP. In addition, his 26.3 K% is one of the best on the Braves and his ability to limit his walks is huge.

This is a great way to kick start this fantastic series.

Game 2: David Peterson vs Chris Sale

The Mets are going to need to bring their bats and be on their A Game. They’ll be facing what is likely to be the CY Young winner in the National League. What Chris Sale is doing on the mound is sensational and he looks like his vintage self. Sale has a 2.38 ERA and a 1.01 WHIP to go along with it. His 11.40 K/9 is among the best in baseball and his slider looks as viscous as ever. He’s done everything from getting players to whiff and to chase and has just been elite on the mound.

David Peterson comes in for the Mets and rocks a 3.08 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP. Both are the best he’s had the last three seasons. The Mets have lost three of the four games he’s pitched in. Although, the game in Philadelphia was a tight contest with the rest being blowouts. He will need to match Sale, who’s given the Braves a chance to win every outing.

Game 3: Sean Manaea vs Max Fried

Of all the pitching matchups, this might be my favorite one to watch. Sean Manaea has been a pleasant surprise and is even pitching some of his best baseball right now. From August 5-present day he has a 2.91 ERA. Overall, Manaea has a 3.29 ERA, a 1.06 WHIP and 183 strikeouts. He has the highest strikeouts per nine innings among Mets qualified pitchers and has the highest strikeout percentage. Also, he has the lowest batting average against, creating a recipe for success. His opponent is no slouch either.

Max Fried has a 3.42 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP. Fried was elite in just about every category in 2023. He didn’t get hit hard, kept the ball on the ground, and did a good job limiting his walks. Amongst his peers, he was in the 67th percentile for K% and the whiff and chase rates weren’t there. In 2024, some remain the same, but his ability to limit his walks isn’t present this season. He is still a very tough opponent, bringing a variety of pitches.

If there was ever a matchup to win, it’s this one and with how hot Manaea has been, the odds are in their favor.

Another Great Rivalry Series

Another year, another series that could decide playoff hopes for these two teams. Under different circumstances it’s truly amazing the teams find themselves in the position that they are in. Now, separated by two games and a three game series, it’s do or die for both teams.

In what will be an electrifying playoff atmosphere in Atlanta, playoff baseball starts tonight for both teams. All I know is, playoff baseball NEEDS to be played in Queens this October and what a great way to help solidify the ticket to the big dance.