September baseball means playoff-style games for teams battling to earn a spot in the 2024 postseason.
As the season winds down, each game is important and could make or break a team’s chances to make the playoffs.
The National League and American League wild-card races tend to be tight each year, and the teams who can get the big wins in the big moments will prevail.
According to MLB on ‘X,’ the New York Mets are in the sole possession of the final wild-card spot in the National League.
The @Mets have taken back sole possession of the final NL Wild Card spot. pic.twitter.com/VTTeVBT0wv
— MLB (@MLB) September 17, 2024
The Mets defeated the Washington Nationals by a score of 2-1 in extra innings on Monday while the Atlanta Braves lost by a score of 9-0 to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
With the win, the Mets now hold a 1 game lead over the Braves for the final National League wild-card spot.
Francisco Lindor, star shortstop for the Mets, did not play in Monday’s game due to a back injury.
On a positive note, Lindor expects to only have a brief absence from the team and appears to have avoided any serious injury.
The Mets have only made the playoffs once in the last 7 seasons and are seeking their first playoff appearance since losing in the wild-card series in 2022.
While currently holding the 3rd wild-card spot, the Mets are also only 1 game back of the Arizona Diamondbacks for the 2nd wild-card spot.
The Mets are taking on the Nationals again on Tuesday while the Braves will look to bounce back in Cincinnati against the Reds.
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