Time is running out on the 2024 regular season, and while the San Diego Padres are still squarely in the mix for the NL Wild Card, they're not alone. Heading into play on Tuesday, there are four teams in the hunt for three wild card spots.
The Padres currently own the top spot in the NL Wild Card, but the Arizona Diamondbacks are just a half-game behind the Friars and the surging New York Mets are currently holding onto the final spot in wild card chase. The Atlanta Braves are also part of the equation and are only one game behind their NL East rival.
NL Wild Card Standings: Padres losing ground while NY Mets have revenge on their mind
The Padres have lost two straight and three of their last four games. The Mets, on the other hand, have won nine of their last 10. New York is one of the few clubs, and the only team among the NL Wild Card contenders, who have a winning record against the Padres this season. San Diego is just 2-5 against New York in 2024.
The Friar faithful certainly remember how the Padres ended the Mets' season two years ago in the playoffs. The Mets, who won 101 games in 2022, made it to the MLB postseason for the first time since 2016 and were embarrassed by the Padres.
NL Wild Card Standings | GB |
---|---|
San Diego Padres | + 1.5 |
Arizona Diamondbacks | + 1.0 |
New York Mets | — |
Atlanta Braves | 1.0 GB |
San Diego crushed New York in Game 1 of the 2022 Wild Card Round, and after giving one game back during Game 2, the Padres shut out the Mets 6-0 in Game 3 to move on to the NLDS. It's doubtful that the Mets have forgotten, and may very well have revenge on their minds if the two teams meet in October.
If the postseason started today, the Padres would host the D-backs while the Mets would travel to American Family Field to play the Milwaukee Brewers. But, if the Padres and Mets finish with the top two spots in the NL Wild Card, they'll meet for chance to go to the 2024 NLDS.
Don't sleep on the Mets' chances of making a return to the playoffs this season. And while the Padres pulled off the upset in 2022, the Mets will surely be looking to avenge their playoff failure from two years ago.