Mets' Playoff Odds Hinge on Brutal Upcoming Schedule

The New York Mets were counted out of the postseason by just about everyone around the All-Star break. Well, someone flipped a switch in the clubhouse, and the team has been on fire over the past couple of months. The Mets find themselves fully back in the postseason hunt.

Mets' Playoff Odds

The much-improved squad is now sitting 1.5 games behind the Cardinals for the second NL Wild Card spot. Considering the team held a 40-51 record on July 12, the turnaround has been surreal, and they're hoping to keep it going.

Right now, FanGraphs has them with a 51.4% chance of making the playoffs, which is higher than the Cardinals' odds. (50.9%)

Mets' Upcoming Schedule

But it won't be easy for the Mets given the difficult schedule looming. They'll host the Braves and Cubs for their next two series before heading out for a three-game set in Philadelphia and then Washington. After their six-game road swing concludes on Sept. 4, the Mets will take on the Phillies once again at Citi Field.

The five-series stretch will make or break the Mets as they hope to surpass the Cardinals or Nationals and sneak into the postseason as a wild card team.

With the Braves coming to Flushing on Friday, it's officially crunch time for Mickey Callaway's Mets. They're playing their best baseball of the season right now and will look to utilize that momentum for this pivotal stretch.

The Mets just wrapped up a series sweep of the Indians, improving their season record to 67-60, and now they'll look to push forward and play up to the level of their upcoming competition.

These series will have season-altering implications, and if the Mets stay hot they could see themselves shoot up the standings into a Wild Card spot.