MLB · 1 year ago

NL Wild Card Drama: Mets and Braves Battle Down the Stretch

Sportsgrid Staff

Host · Writer

NL Wild Card Drama: Mets and Braves Battle Down the Stretch

Mets and Braves Battle for the Final NL Wild Card Spot

As the MLB season enters its final stretch, the race for the last National League Wild Card spot is heating up. The Atlanta Braves and New York Mets are the primary contenders, with the San Francisco Giants, St. Louis Cardinals, and Chicago Cubs still technically in the mix but facing a steep uphill climb.

Wild Card	W	L	Pct	GB
Arizona Diamondbacks	75	56	.573	+4.5
San Diego Padres	74	58	.561	+3.0
Atlanta Braves	70	60	.538	0.0
NY Mets	68	63	.519	2.5
San Francisco Giants	66	66	.500	5.0
St. Louis Cardinals	65	65	.500	5.0
Chicago Cubs	65	66	.496	5.5

*Standings as of 7:40 PM ET, August 26

With just over a month remaining in the regular season, every game counts, and this week is particularly crucial for the Mets as they try to close the gap on the Braves.

Have all the intel you need? Free actionable info is one click away! Sign up for our daily newsletter.

NY Mets Face Crucial Series in Arizona vs. Diamondbacks

The Mets begin a pivotal series against the Arizona Diamondbacks, a team that has been on fire since the All-Star break, going just 25-8 in that span. Arizona comes into the series starting on Tuesday on a six-game winning streak. Currently trailing the Braves by 2.5 games, the Mets know that this series could make or break their playoff hopes. If they fail to gain ground and the gap extends to 4.5 or 5.5 games by next weekend, their wild-card dreams could be in serious jeopardy. For the Mets, this week represents a must-win situation as they look to stay alive in the wild card race.

Atlanta Braves Face Tough Road Ahead

The Braves also have their work cut out for them this week, with a challenging three-game series against the Minnesota Twins followed by four games against the Philadelphia Phillies. These matchups could prove pivotal in determining whether the Braves can maintain their lead over the Mets. With 31 games remaining, the Braves must navigate this difficult stretch without losing their grip on the final playoff spot. The pressure is on, and the Braves will need to play their best baseball to fend off the surging Mets.

Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.

Sense of Urgency for the New York Mets

For the Mets, the time to act is now. They can’t afford to let the Braves extend their lead any further, and that means approaching every game with a sense of urgency. This week’s series in Arizona is the perfect opportunity for New York to close the gap, but it won’t be easy. The Diamondbacks are a dangerous team, and New York will need to be at their best to take advantage. If the Mets can close the gap this week, they’ll set up a thrilling finish to the wild card race.

Swing for the Fences with SportsGrid’s free daily MLB Game Picks and MLB Prop Picks.

Final Stretch: Who Will Take the Final NL Wild Card?

As the season winds down, the battle between the Mets and Braves for the final wild-card spot will be one of the most compelling storylines in baseball. Both teams have the talent to make a postseason run, but only one will claim the final spot. The next few weeks will be filled with high-stakes baseball, and fans of both teams should buckle up for a thrilling ride. The race is far from over, and every game from here on out could be the difference between playing in October or going home early.