3 reasons Atlanta Braves are a scarier playoff matchup than the Mets
By Jake Oliver
As we near September, the Mets and Braves are separated by just a few games in the NL East. Atlanta, however, is the scarier out come playoff time.
The Atlanta Braves have been on a roll for the past few months. Since June 1, the team is 55-21.
The experienced Braves are used to the dog days of baseball as they make a final push for the playoffs and division crown. Meanwhile, their arch-rivals, the New York Mets are doing whatever they can to hold off the surging Braves. While the Braves are 78-48, the Mets are 79-46. Only 1.5 games separate the two strong teams in a harsh fight to the end of the season.
So far, the Mets have the upper hand with a 9-7 record against the Braves. However, the Mets are 45-29 since June 1. It’s still a strong record, but not to the Braves’ standard. Both are going to the playoffs barring a huge collapse. Yet, who will be the scarier team in the playoffs? Both have aces, offensive play-makers, and relievers with capable arms in the bullpen.
1. The Braves’ track record in the Playoffs vs the Mets
Like it or not, the Atlanta Braves are used to playing in the playoffs. There’s a reason why they are the reigning World Series champions. They have made the playoffs the last four years while the Mets haven’t made the postseason since 2016. They have made it to the NLCS two years in a row.
The team understands how to handle the playoff pressure with nearly all of their team having a ton of experience in the playoffs. The Mets only have Francisco Lindor, Carlos Carrasco, and Max Scherzer as experienced playoff veterans among their regular players. That’s not ideal.
Winning and excelling in the regular season is one thing, but playoff games are a whole different animal. There’s a reason having the best record in the regular season no longer guarantees a chance at the pennant. I’ll give the edge to the team that has been playing together in the playoffs for many years in a row.