The New York Mets are inching closer to clinching their first National League East division crown since 2015.
The Mets head into a weekend series with the Oakland Athletics after dropping the finale of their series with the Milwaukee Brewers by a final of 6-0.
The Mets still managed to take two out of three from the Brew Crew.
And it’s also helpful to them that the defending champion Atlanta Braves lost last night to the Philadelphia Phillies by a final of 1-0.
The Mets lead over the Braves is now up to a game-and-a-half, and their magic number to clinch the East for the first time in seven years is down to 11.
The Phillies beat the Braves 1-0. The Mets lead in the NL East is now 1.5 games. Their magic number to clinch the division is down to 11.
— Steve Gelbs (@SteveGelbs) September 23, 2022
Mets Closing In On Division Crown
Obviously, the race is far from through.
The Braves are still very much alive in the division.
Though they have a tougher schedule, anything can still happen.
But it has to feel good for the Mets that their magic number is shrinking.
This is a team that hasn’t been to the postseason in six years and finally has a team that is capable of contending for a World Series title.
Max Scherzer and Jacob deGrom head up a very powerful starting rotation, and Pete Alonso, Jeff McNeil, and Francisco Lindor help supply a juggernaut offense.
The Mets have fought through several injury issues this year, but have remained at the top in the East.
They’re 95-56 and look prepared to have their first 100-win season since 1988.
This is a force to be reckoned with, and when the postseason starts, whoever plays them first will certainly have their hands full.
But the clock is ticking, and the Mets continue to draw closer to an NL East title.
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