It took until the last day of the regular season — or the day after the last day of the regular season — but the Mets are finally into the playoffs and will be in Milwaukee for Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series against the Brewers.
Here’s a look at how the two teams match up, with all games being played at American Family Field:
At the plate
Getting on base
Other than the fact the Mets made the playoffs on the last day of September, there is no bigger development with the team than the renewed health of Francisco Lindor, who has been an on-base machine since moving to the leadoff spot.
Not surprisingly, the Mets have been the fourth-best team in the majors in on-base percentage since their season turned around in late May.
Edge: Mets
Power
Even with Pete Alonso having a disappointing season, the Mets displayed plenty of power.
Lindor put up power numbers and Mark Vientos emerged as a threat, while Alonso still had 34 homers.
If the Mets are going to advance, J.D. Martinez is going to have to come alive.
Milwaukee, meanwhile, had four hitters with 20-plus homers, including Willy Adames with 32 and Mets-killer Rhys Hoskins with 26.
Edge: Mets
In the field
Infield
Having Lindor back at short helps solidify the Mets’ infield, which may make up for the deficiencies of Vientos at third and Alonso at first.
Brice Turang is solid at second, as is Joey Ortiz at third.
Edge: Brewers
Outfield
Harrison Bader and Tyrone Taylor in center are going to have to make up for Brandon Nimmo and Starling Marte in the corners, while Jackson Chourio and Blake Perkins are excellent for Milwaukee.
Sal Frelick injured his hip towards the end of the season and his availability is still to be determined.
On the basepaths
Edge: Brewers
Turang is third in the majors with 50 steals and the Brewers are among the best teams in the league in the category, while the Mets are near the bottom — although a healthy Lindor could change things.
Edge: Brewers
Bench
Tyrone Taylor and Jesse Winker are both ex-Brewers who have contributed since arriving in Queens. Jake Bauers has some power.
Edge: Mets
On the mound
Rotation
Thanks to the Mets’ win in the first game on Monday, they saved Luis Severino for Tuesday, with Sean Manaea and Jose Quintana perhaps to follow.
Milwaukee set up their rotation with Freddy Peralta starting Tuesday.
Edge: Brewers
Bullpen
Edwin Diaz is certainly out for Game 1, but the Mets will deal with his absence having gotten to Milwaukee.
Phil Maton is battle-tested.
Trevor Megill — Tylor’s brother — had 21 saves, but Devin Williams has been even better.
After missing much of the first half with a back injury, Williams was dominant over his last 13 appearances, not allowing a run, and striking out 22 in 13 innings.
Edge: Brewers
Manager
Carlos Mendoza and Pat Murphy are first-year managers having taken over for big names (Buck Showalter and Craig Counsell, respectively) that have made their bosses look good.
While Murphy took over a well-oiled machine, Mendoza inherited a team that disappointed a year ago and righted the ship.
Edge: Mets
Intangibles
Where do you start?
David Stearns left Milwaukee to go to Queens and put together a team that went from 24-35 to the playoffs, facing his old team.
The Brewers saw Craig Counsell go to the Cubs and they still own the NL Central under the guidance of Stearns’ replacement, Matt Arnold.
But the Mets just exorcised some serious demons by surviving in Atlanta to move on to the playoffs for the second time in three years.
Will the Mets be impacted by Monday’s doubleheader in Atlanta and ensuing trip to Milwaukee?
Edge: Mets
Jon Heyman
Mets in 3
This Mets team handles pressure anyway, but the pressure is off now. Whatever happens, this season is a success.
Mike Puma
Mets in 3
The Brewers handled the Mets during the regular season, but we all know that doesn’t matter in the playoffs (see the 2015 Mets over the Cubs in the NLCS).
Mark W. Sanchez
Brewers in 3
The Mets expended a lot of energy and a lot of pitching before facing off with a quality and rested club.
Joel Sherman
Brewers in 3
Milwaukee has a style that matches up well with the Mets — and this is an exhausted version of the Mets.
Mike Vaccaro
Brewers in 3
A wonderful ride that chases a lot of ghosts away, and they’re playing with house money. But the quick turnaround is going to be hard to ignore.
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