After holding a 10.5-game lead over the Atlanta Braves back in May, the New York Mets have fallen out of the top spot and will now enter the postseason as the top Wild Card team in the National League.
The Braves won in Miami to secure their fifth straight NL East title.
But had the Braves not won the division last night and the Mets were still alive, the Mets had a questionable strategy for their ace Jacob deGrom.
According to Anthony DiComo, New York’s MLB.com writer, the Mets were planning on not pitching deGrom today even if they were still in NL East contention.
Sounds like if the Mets had still been in NL East contention heading into Wednesday, they were leaning against pitching Jacob deGrom in a game that might not have wound up mattering anyway. Wasn't worth burning deGrom and then losing the division regardless if the Braves had won.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) October 5, 2022
Mets Planned To Rest deGrom
This is somewhat of a questionable decision.
Now that they’re out of NL East contention, the Mets don’t have to worry about it.
While it’s understandable that they would want to rest deGrom for the playoffs, if you’re still in it, then it’s odd to rest your ace.
One would think that the Mets would still be trying to do everything in their power to capture the NL East crown.
If it were to work out, then the Mets would have been able to rest deGrom afterwards and have him ready for the NLDS.
Ultimately though, it’s a plan that can now be avoided.
The Mets failed to stop the Braves and will now enter the postseason as a Wild Card, while the Braves will await the winner of the series between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Philadelphia Phillies.
The Mets will open up the postseason at home against the San Diego Padres.
Each Wild Card series begins on Friday and will run through Sunday, with the higher seed hosting all three games.
NEXT: The Mets Remain Holding On To Slim Hopes