In reading the MLB Playoff Picture for today, it seems that the Monday games between the Braves and the Mets will be played no matter what.

However, if the Diamondbacks lose and the Mets win, no matter the Braves outcome, there is no way the Diamondbacks can make the playoffs, since they lose all tiebreakers. If the Mets forfeit, they are the bottom seed and play at Milwaukee, where they currently reside. If they play Monday and sweep the doubleheader, they then need to fly cross country and play the Padres. So if I’m running the Mets, I forfeit the doubleheader and stay put.

Of course, the Mets have to win today for that possibility to happen. David Peterson takes on Colin Rea. Peterson works on completing the best season of his career, now 9-3 with a 3.08 ERA. He limits both hits and power, likely using his walks allowed to avoid tough hitters. Rea owns a good record with a high ERA, 112-5 with a 4.17 mark. He allowed 28 home runs in 162 innings, so the Mets might want to swing for the fences against him. Note that Milwaukee should want the Mets to lose this game, as a doubleheader Monday may deplete an opponent.

The Padres play the Diamondbacks with Martin Perez facing Brandon Pfaadt. We are in the unfortunate situation here where the Padres are better off tanking this game. They play the higher seed. If Atlanta, let them waste two good pitchers on Monday. If the Mets, let them do a lot of traveling in two days. A Diamondbacks victory assures games on Monday. Perez owns a 4.25 ERA. His K’s are low and his walks and home runs are high, which should lead to some scoring at Chase Field. Pfaadt brings a 4.80 ERA into the game, so it’s not like the Padres shouldn’t score some runs today.

Finally, the Braves host the Royals with Alec Marsh facing Charlie Morton. KC needs a win and a Tigers loss to grab the second wild card slot and play Baltimore instead of Houston. An Atlanta win puts them in the post-season, as it would give them the tie breaker against the Diamondbacks. They would then be playing Monday for the other contenders.

Enjoy!