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Mets fans groan, Braves fans cheer latest NL East projections

By Kevin Henry

ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 2: Ronald Acuna Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves slides into second safely against Luis Guillorme #13 of the New York Mets during the third inning at Truist Park on October 2, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Adam Hagy/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 2: Ronald Acuna Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves slides into second safely against Luis Guillorme #13 of the New York Mets during the third inning at Truist Park on October 2, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Adam Hagy/Getty Images) /
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The New York Mets spent most of the offseason retooling their roster with the goal of making it back to the World Series for the first time since 2015. However, according to some of the latest projections for the National League East, the Mets may not have done enough this winter to even bypass the Atlanta Braves in their own division.

New York Mets, Atlanta Braves 2023 season projections are a dead heat in latest forecast

According to the ZiPS projected standings for the NL East on FanGraphs, the Mets and Braves are predicted to finish in a tie atop the division, with both teams expected to end the 2023 campaign with a 94-68 mark. Last season, the Braves and Mets ended the campaign with identical 101-61 marks, but Atlanta was awarded the division title based on winning the season series against New York.

That tie-breaker forced the Mets into the Wild Card round, where they were defeated by the San Diego Padres. The Braves, meanwhile, earned a bye in the postseason with the division title and second seed in the NL. However, division rival Philadelphia knocked them out in the NLDS on their way to a World Series berth.

Could another scenario like 2022 be setting up this season? For Mets fans, it would be a disappointing thought after a historic spending spree this offseason by owner Steve Cohen that included bringing in Justin Verlander and Kodai Senga to keep up with (and, in the eyes of Mets fans, hopefully bypassing) the stellar rotation the Braves will once again roll out in 2023 as Atlanta tries to capture its sixth consecutive NL East crown.

Speaking of the Phillies, ZiPS projections have them finishing 85-77, nine games behind the Braves and Mets in the division. Based on what ZiPS is projecting in the NL Central and NL West, that finish would have Philadelphia finishing outside of the postseason in 2023.

Also, based on the projections, the 94 wins for the Mets and Braves would be the most in the NL, meaning the winner of the division would be the top seed on the NL side of the postseason bracket.

Next. 10 players projected to have monster seasons in 2023. dark

What do you think of the projections? Are the Mets or Braves too high or too low? Let us know your projections in the comments section below.

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