It was a dash of desperation and a heap of inauspiciousness in the Mets’ final home game of the regular season at Citi Field on Sunday afternoon.
The Mets’ 3-2 loss to the Nationals, which capped a fourth series loss in New York’s last five matchups, included a pair of acrobatic catches by Jacob Young to rob the Mets of extra bases and an ejection of Mark Vientos after he slammed his bat following a strikeout with two runners on base.
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The Mets’ latest defeat took destiny out of their control. They now share identical records with the Reds at 80-76. The Reds, who have won five straight games, own the final tiebreaker for the final National League Wild Card spot with six games left to play.
“You look at the talent there and we’re one hit away, making one play, making one pitch,” Carlos Mendoza told reporters following Sunday’s loss. “We’re close. We just haven’t been able to get that last hit, make that play when we need to or to execute a pitch. It could happen.”
The reality remains that the Mets will need to play near-flawless baseball the rest of the way, with no proof that they can do that lately. A tall task stands ahead this week as they travel to Chicago to face the Cubs across three games beginning on Tuesday followed by a three-game series against the Marlins beginning on Friday in Miami.
With a week left to play and the Mets scuffling, here is how they stack up against their chief competition for the final Wild Card spot in the National League:
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Mets or Reds: Who holds NL wild card tiebreaker?
Sep 7, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Reds first baseman Spencer Steer (7) tags New York Mets pinch hitter Mark Vientos (27) out at first in the eighth inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
The first tiebreaker for a playoff spot is head-to-heard record, and the Reds grabbed control of the season series by winning the teams’ final two games at Great American Ball Park earlier this month.
That means the Mets will have to finish with one more win than the Reds down the stretch. Cincinnati closes its season with three games against the Pirates at home and three against the NL-leading Brewers on the road.
Mets or Diamondbacks: Which team has the edge?
May 5, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (left) against Arizona Diamondbacks base runner Pavin Smith at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Entering the final week of the regular season, the Diamondbacks trail the Reds and Mets by one game for the final playoff spot.
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The Reds also won the season series over the Diamondbacks. The Mets were 3-3 against the Dbacks, leading the second tiebreaker of intradivision record to come into play. The Diamondbacks currently have the edge there, with a 25-21 record against the NL West, while the Mets are 24-25 against the NL East, further clouding the Mets’ prospects.
The Diamondbacks finish with a three-game home series against the Dodgers and three-game road series with the Padres in San Diego.
Mets or SF Giants: Where do the teams stand?
Aug 1, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets right fielder Juan Soto (22) follows through on an RBI single against the San Francisco Giants during the eighth inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
The Giants’ odds of grabbing the final NL Wild Card spot are fleeting.
They don’t own the tiebreaker against any of the Reds, Mets or Diamondbacks and enter the week three games back for the final NL Wild Card spot.
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However, the Giants have the easiest schedule from here on out, with home series against the Cardinals and Rockies.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NY Mets playoff scenarios: Where they stand in NL Wild Card race, tiebreakers