Mets Collapse, Reds Surge in Wild Card Race with One Week Left

New York, NY — The New York Mets continued their downward spiral Sunday, losing ground in the playoff race as the Cincinnati Reds surged to tie them for the final wild card spot in the National League. As of now, both teams hold an 80-76 record with just one week remaining in the season.

The Reds completed a four-game sweep of the San Diego Padres, showcasing their recent form as they aim for postseason play. Meanwhile, the Mets succumbed to yet another defeat, marking a challenging stretch after having the best record in baseball as late as June 12.

Cincinnati appears to have a favorable schedule ahead, facing the last-place Washington Nationals for three games before heading to Milwaukee to take on the Brewers, who, despite boasting the best record in baseball, may have little to play for in their series.

The Mets, on the other hand, face a daunting road trip. They will play three games against the Chicago Cubs and another three against the Miami Marlins, who have been hot, winning nine of their last ten games.

The Mets once had a comfortable lead in the NL East but have since struggled with a 35-52 record since mid-June. They need to overcome an eight-game losing streak that contributed significantly to their current playoff predicament.

Despite their poor performance, the Mets still have a chance to salvage their season but now require some outside help. If the Mets do not finish strong, they will find themselves on the outside looking in when it comes to the postseason.

“There’s still hope,” said Mets manager Buck Showalter after Sunday’s game. “We need to focus on winning games and see where we stand at the end of the week.”

The fate of both teams is still up in the air, with high stakes in the final stretch of the season as they battle for the third wild card spot.