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MLB Teams Poised to Make a Run at the Playoffs

By Nick Fustor

Aug 7, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; New York Mets players celebrate after the game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. New York won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 7, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; New York Mets players celebrate after the game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. New York won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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New York Mets

The New York Mets pitching staff will likely carry them into the playoffs.  Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
The New York Mets pitching staff will likely carry them into the playoffs.  Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

With a dangerous pitching staff and banged up lineup, the Mets final two months could be a spectacle or a disaster. The Nationals dominance this season has all but assured the Mets won’t win the NL East, but there’s a very real shot at clinching a Wild Card spot.

At this point in the season, Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard virtually guarantee a win for the Mets, but the team will need Zack Wheeler to return strong if they hope to overtake the Marlins.  Steven Matz and Bartolo Colon have been solid in the middle of the rotation, and both will likely play major roles in the playoffs.

Without Matt Harvey, the Mets don’t have a solid option for their fifth starter until Wheeler returns. And even then, Wheeler could struggle for a while upon his return.  In that case, the Mets will need their bullpen to step up. With Addison Reed and Jeurys Familia playing as well as they are, that won’t be a problem.

The issues with the Mets come from their lineup. They currently rank 29th in the league with 413 runs scored. That puts them behind teams like the Milwaukee Brewers, Cincinnati Reds and San Diego Padres.  Yikes.

Losing Yoenis Cespedes, Jose Reyes, Lucas Duda, David Wright, Asdrubal Cabrera (takes breath), Juan Lagares and Justin Ruggiano hurts. If Cespedes, Reyes and Cabrera can return soon, the Mets offense could vastly improve.

The addition of Jay Bruce at the trade deadline helped, but could hurt the team defensively once Cespedes returns to play center field. Having Michael Conforto and Brandon Nimmo on the bench will help late in games, though.

If the Mets get healthy soon, it’s easy to see them gaining momentum and overtaking the Marlins for a Wild Card spot.

Next: Locked and Loaded

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