The schedule for the Mets in September is loaded with games against bad teams. Atlanta needs to catch the Mets before then to have a realistic chance to win the division.
I have a lot of respect for the Braves. But they better start winning 80% of their games for a sustained period if they are going to make this close.
Tomas Nido has quietly gotten his batting average up to .261. McCann might have problems winning the starting job back when he returns to action. Nido appears to do a great job calling pitches. No wonder guys like Scherzer and DeGrom like to pitch to him so much.
I added a picture of the Met schedule in September. The Yankees will be tough, the Cards should be good, Milwaukee is probably going to be good and the Braves are always a challenge but there are a lot of games against the Marlins, the Nationals and the Phillies in there. I suspect Boston will be out of the pennant race by then too but you never know with them.
After the series with the Padres, the Mets head to Anaheim. The Angels were terrific for most of the season but suddenly have hit the skids, losing 12 straight. Yikes.
Thor has pitched really well for the Angels. Just lost a game 1-0 last night. I assume he will be starting against the Mets on Saturday. And he will be very fired up to beat his old teammates.