Overview

• The Mets are 79-74 after taking two of three from the Padres and now lead the Diamondbacks and Reds by two games with the Giants three back.
• New York opens its final home series against the Nationals before road sets at the Cubs and Marlins, with Miami entering hot and positioned to play spoiler.
• Cincinnati sits two games behind after Hunter Greene’s gem to start a Cubs series and holds 4-2 head-to-head tiebreakers over both the Mets and Diamondbacks.
• Arizona faces a daunting finish against the Phillies, Dodgers and at the Padres after moving pieces at the deadline but staying in the race behind Geraldo Perdomo and Corbin Carroll.
• The Mets’ bullpen remains a stress point beyond elite closer Edwin Díaz, as trade additions Ryan Helsley and Gregory Soto have struggled while Tyler Rogers has been serviceable.