Why Mets still have inside track for playoff berth in Braves doubleheader

The Mets have worked to get to this moment for more than seven months. On Monday, they’ll finally learn whether or not they have made the postseason — and they’re in total control of the outcome.

“I’ll sign up for that any day. Especially with the way we started the year,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said, via SNY. “Before the year, nobody expected us to be in this position and here we are with a chance to do something special, and that’s what we’ll do. We’ll go back at Atlanta, we’ll get that last one and we’ll go from there.”

Sunday was one of the most exciting days in the history of MLB’s regular season. With the Mets and Diamondbacks winning must-win games, and the Braves losing, all three teams are tied for the final two Wild Card spots.

Now, the Mets and Braves must play a doubleheader at Truist Park in Atlanta on Monday to decide who’s in and who they’re playing against when the Wild Card series kicks off on Tuesday.

Here are the scenarios for the Mets:

*If they split, the Mets and the Braves are in. New York would return to Milwaukee to face the Brewers in a best-of-three beginning on Tuesday and Atlanta would face the Padres.
*If they sweep, the Mets and Diamondbacks are in. New York would travel to San Diego to face the Padres and Arizona would face Milwaukee.
*If they’re swept, the Mets go home. The Braves would face the Padres and the Diamondbacks would face the Brewers.

In short, if you’re the Mets, win and you’re in.

Ideally, New York would win Game 1 on Monday. This would allow them to rest shortstop Francisco Lindor, who’s playing through a back injury, in Game 2.

The Mets have named Tylor Megill the starter for Game 1 of the doubleheader against the Braves. Megill allowed four runs in his only start against the Braves this season. In that start, he allowed three home runs, the most he’s allowed against any opponent this season.

Atlanta will roll with right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach, who’s 8-7 with a 3.47 ERA and 122 strikeouts in 20 starts this season. Schwellenbach is 2-0 in two starts against the Mets, allowing one run over 14 innings (0.64 ERA) with 15 strikeouts.