On Monday, a doubleheader between the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves will determine their playoff positioning. Originally scheduled for this past week but postponed due to Hurricane Helene, each team just needs one victory to secure their spot. Mets’ DH JD Martinez expressed to Rich Rovito of AP that playing two decisive games on Monday seems unjust with the playoffs looming.
Martinez stated, “I believe MLB should delay the playoffs slightly. It provides an unfair advantage to the upcoming opponent. The stakes are high, and we will fight hard to win those games, only to quickly board a flight after. It’s going to be a challenging task, but we must persevere and find a way through.”
Monday’s schedule solely features the Mets and Braves, while the rest of the league either concluded its season or is preparing for the playoffs. Among those waiting are the Padres and Brewers, potential opponents for the clinching team.
Mets need to move past allegations of unfairness
While the home teams have an advantage in terms of rest, the Mets could have nullified the importance of these games. Losing both games against the Brewers this weekend rendered their playoff spot uncertain when just one win was required.
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The Mets may head back to Milwaukee or travel to San Diego. A split against the Braves would set them up against the Padres; a sweep would see them face the Brewers while the Diamondbacks challenge the Padres. The one outcome they cannot afford is losing both games, jeopardizing their postseason chances.
Prioritizing a strong performance in the first game is essential for the Mets. They will encounter Spencer Schwellenbach, who has dominated them in two starts this year, allowing only one run over 14 innings. A struggle against him would mean facing Chris Sale, who boasts an impressive 18-3 record this season.
Fangraphs assigns the Mets a 67.2% probability of winning one of the two games. Despite the expected pitching challenges, a standout performance is all that is required to secure their postseason berth.
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