This wasn't where the Mets wanted to be, locked in a first-place tie with the Braves atop the NL East after Tuesday's loss to the Marlins, but now, all they can do is embrace the all-out battle that is to come.
With Atlanta taking care of business against the Nationals, and New York unable to do the same against the lowly Marlins, the two teams are now deadlocked for first place, with a huge series in Atlanta set for this weekend (weather permitting).
It isn't what fans wanted (they would have much preferred a coast to the finish and an opportunity to kick their feet up before the playoffs), but as for the Mets themselves, they will just have to find joy in the challenge of beating out the defending champs, who have been arguably the best team in baseball over the past three-plus months.
"This is really, really fun being in a race like this," Pete Alonso said." Every day is a chance to be great. Tomorrow is another chance for us to be great, and we just want to continue to play the great baseball we've been playing all year.
"I know we've got a big series coming up with a lot of stuff, but realistically, we're just focused up for tomorrow, because tomorrow's game is just as big as every game in the future."
Indeed, the Mets need to close out their series with the Marlins with a win and avoid slipping out of first before the hyped series against Atlanta, and they know they still control their own destiny, despite how tight the race has become.
"If we win, that really takes care of itself and it really doesn't matter what they do," Alonso said. "We just need to do our job and focus where we're at, one game at a time."
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
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