Here are five things to watch and predictions as the Mets and Cubs play a three-game series at Wrigley Field starting on Tuesday at 7:40 p.m. on SNY.
5 things to watch
Mets no longer control their playoff destiny
Entering play on Saturday, the Mets had a 2.0 game lead over the Reds for the third and final Wild Card spot in the National League. That lead is now gone.
By losing back-to-back games to the woeful Nationals on Saturday and Sunday, the Mets are tied with Cincinnati — but it's the Reds who hold the tiebreaker after winning the season series.
The Mets would not make the playoffs if the season ended today, and now need help to get in.
The Reds play three games at home against the Pirates starting on Tuesday before traveling to face the Brewers for three. The Pirates have the third-worst record in the National League, and have scored just 561 runs this season — worst in MLB. Meanwhile, the Brewers — who have clinched the NL Central and are on pace to finish with the top seed in the NL — could have literally nothing to play for this coming weekend.
After facing the Cubs, the Mets travel to Miami to face a Marlins team that is 9-1 over its last 10 games and still mathematically alive for a playoff spot.
Jonah Tong and Brandon Sproat
The rookies will again be relied on to help the Mets win huge games.
Tong, who likely gets the start on Wednesday, had an incredibly impressive bounce back start last week against the Padres, holding San Diego to one unearned run in 5.0 innings as his fastball played up.
Sproat, who toes the rubber on Thursday had a hiccup in the third inning of his start on Friday. But New York's outfield defense cost him two runs in the frame. He rebounded from it with a strong fourth inning to cap his start.
While Nolan McLean has stolen the show while being both dominant and ultra reliable, Tong and Sproat have performed admirably while showing flashes of excellence.
The return of Tyrone Taylor?
Center field, especially on the defensive side of things, has been an issue for the Mets down the stretch.
On Friday night, it was Jose Siri who had what should've been the third out of the third inning bounce out of his glove and took a poor route on a hit later in the frame, allowing it to get by him.
On Saturday, it was Cedric Mullins who misplayed the carom of an 11th-inning hit off the wall, leading to an inside the park home run in New York's loss.
Is help on the way?
Taylor, who is truly elite in center field, could be activated ahead of Tuesday's game.
Cubs have nothing to play for, and they've been playing like it
Chicago has been eliminated from contention for the NL Central title, and they're basically locked into the top Wild Card spot.
There's a chance they drop to the second Wild Card, but it's unlikely — they have a three-game lead over the Padres with six games to go.
And the Cubs have been recently playing like a team with nothing at stake, getting swept in a four-game series by the Reds that helped land the Mets in their current predicament.
This is not to say that the Cubs won't be a tough opponent. They will be.
But it's hard to see a scenario where their starting pitchers are pushed or where their key relievers are asked to shoulder a ton of the load.
Cade Horton has been elite
The 24-year-old Horton starts the series-opener, and the Mets will have their work cut out for them.
Horton has been phenomenal over the last three months.
He had a 1.52 ERA in July and a 1.20 ERA in August, and has a 1.10 ERA in three starts in September.
Horton has allowed zero or one runs in 10 of his last 11 starts.
Predictions
Who will the MVP of the series be?
Pete Alonso
Alonso's power surge should continue at the friendly confines.
Which Mets pitcher will have the best start?
Jonah Tong
Tong found the best version of himself against the Padres.
Which Cubs player will be a thorn in the Mets' side?
Seiya Suzuki
It hasn't been a huge season for Suzuki, but the power threat is real.
Read the full article here