Brett Baty’s oblique injury reshapes the Mets’ late season plan as they chase a playoff spot. With Baty out, Ronny Mauricio and Luisangel Acuña get more at bats at third and infield, while Mark Vientos must anchor defense and keep power plausible. A youth-led depth push, plus Dylan Ross and Nolan McLean depth in the bullpen, heightens the stakes this weekend against Miami. Imaging will decide the path forward, with Reds and Brewers lurking in the margins.

The Mets’ postseason hopes dim after a brutal second half, capped by a determinative loss to the Marlins as errors and decision-making unravel the club. Mendoza publicly shoulders the blame, but the on-field miscues—Alonso’s misplay, a thwarted steal, and Soto’s late homer allowed—underscore systemic issues. With two games left, the Reds would need to crater and New York would have to run the table, an uphill climb that keeps the season streets ahead of the finish line.

Two hot-button themes emerge: leadership accountability and on-field execution. Mendoza’s candid admission is noted, yet the players must sharpen fundamentals and bullpen usage if the Mets are to salvage a playoff berth. The path remains narrow, but not mathematically closed, keeping fantasy managers watching every late-inning decision and every offense-triggering moment.

Francisco Lindor blasted a homer to reach 30-30 for the second time this season, as the Mets built an 8-5 win over the Cubs and stayed within a game of the NL wild-card lead. Brett Baty added a three-run shot to push the cushion to 6-0, while Edwin Díaz closed out the victory for his 28th save. Nolan McLean struggled in a season-high five runs allowed, and the Mets continued to pace the playoff chase.

Chicago’s Seiya Suzuki homered twice and Dansby Swanson went deep, but Shota Imanaga was roughed up for a season-high eight runs in 5 2/3 innings. The Cubs remain two games clear of San Diego for the top wild-card spot, with the Padres looming in the final weeks. Lindor and Juan Soto (43 HR, 36 SB) mark a rare 30-30 duo, echoing the Mets’ 1987 era with Howard Johnson and Darryl Strawberry; Brandon Sproat awaits for New York.