The numbers do not lie. With 19 games remaining, the Mets are tied for that final wild card spot but are also very much in play for the first and second wild card spots trailing the Padres by 2 games and Diamondbacks by a mere game and a half. And the Mets own the tiebreaker over both of those teams.
At 78-65 the Mets would need to go 12-7 to reach 90 games while 10-9 gets them to 88 wins. I would think either of those should command a playoff berth but there are no guarantees. They put themselves in this spot by going 56-32 since June 1 and most recently by winning nine of their last 10 games.
This week the Mets play 6 games in Toronto and Philly and 3-3 is OK but 4-2 is a much more desirable result. While the Mets play those 6 games, The Braves play 7–a makeup with the Reds, two with the Nats, and then 4 vs. Dodgers. By this time next week, 2 weeks will be left in the season and the Mets would like to be ahead of the Braves by the time they return home for 3 vs. Nats and 4 vs. Phils.
It is more than likely this will come down to the final week as the Mets visit Atlanta for 3 in that final week—a series that will also determine the owner of the tiebreaker between those 2 teams as the winner of that series nails that down. Then the Mets finish with 3 in Milwaukee while the Braves tangle with the Royals that weekend.
We should also keep in mind that final weekend the Padres tangle with the Diamondbacks and close proximity to those teams could enhance both the Mets and Braves getting with one of those teams being the odd man out. Clearly, games remain but each night that game is a must win. I say rhat because all four of these teams have fate in their own hands—Win a majority of your games and all else with take care of itself.
For the Mets they have been doing that for 3 months and if they can continue that focus for the next 3 weeks they will be playoff bound.