New York Mets Playoff Hopes Ride on Hurricane Forced Double-Header
New York Mets fans are an ornery group as it is. Postpone two games due to a Hurricane smacking into Florida and Georgia, and they are ready to lose their minds. The Mets are clinging to one of final wild card slots in the National League with both the Arizona Diamondbacks and Atlanta Braves circling to knock the Amazin’s out.
On Wednesday with the Mets coming off a 5-1 loss to the Braves the night before, had the rest of the series postponed until next Monday due to the dangers perpetuated by Hurricane Helene. Obviously it made no sense to play the games under such conditions, but many fans are not pleased.
Some Mets fans and pundits questioned why Major League Baseball chose not to have Atlanta move the games to a neutral site that was out of danger, and play them as originally schedule. The Texas Rangers were playing on the road this week, meaning Globe Life Field was available.
Heck, even Citi Field was available.
Instead the Mets are facing a daunting finish to the season that could leave them either limping into, or totally out of the playoffs altogether.
Consider the Amazin’s had to fly out of Atlanta Thursday morning to Milwaukee for their next series. Once that series concludes, they would have to fly back to Atlanta overnight Sunday into Monday to play two games on Monday afternoon. Should they make the playoffs, the Mets would have to then fly out to San Diego for the Wild Card round that begins the next day.
Ouch.
It’s not easy for any team, especially one that has missed its most valuable player in Francisco Lindor the past week and a half with a back injury. Lindor reportedly was going to play had Wednesday’s game in Atlanta happened.
As for Atlanta? Well, they get to stay home. They were scheduled already to host the Kansas City Royals beginning Friday.
The Only Out
There is a chance that Monday’s games won’t need to be played.
That is IF, and that is a huge IF, the Arizona Diamondbacks somehow lose their way out of the final wild card slot this weekend. The Diamondbacks play host to the San Diego Padres, who really don’t have much to play for since San Diego clinched its spot in the playoffs. If San Diego beats up on Arizona, and the Mets and Braves are sitting there in the second and third wild card slots, MLB can cancel the Monday Double-Header all together.
The chances of that happening are likely remote.
Arizona already holds the second wild card slot with a record of 88-71. The Mets hold the third slot at 87-70; the Braves are on the outside looking in at 86-71. Chances are Arizona is going to ball out against the Padres this weekend, forcing the Mets to fly to Atlanta on Sunday night.
In a season full of surprises, the Mets will have to live up to their nickname to make this postseason trip happen.
MORE METS
New Study Ranks New Jersey's Most Popular NFL Snacks
12. Mozzarella Sticks
Delicious breaded mozzarella cheese sticks with marinara dipping sauce.
Starting off the list are Mozzarella Sticks, returning an average search volume of 620. Trust me, that count is pretty low, you’ll see as we go further down the list. Were most of you upset like I was? Mozzarella sticks are a SOLID #5, and CERTAINLY better than the #9 spot, but we will get to that…
11. Hot Dog
Delicious chili hot dogs with cheddar cheese and diced onions next to hot dogs grilling on a flaming hot barbecue
Probably one of the most versatile on the 12 on this list, you can put almost anything on a hot dog and it will taste good. We don’t even really know what it’s made of, but we don’t care! Grilled, fried, even MICROWAVED, it all tastes good! Unfortunately, it did not “cut the mustard”, only returning a search volume of 1,010.
10. Pizza
Slice of pizza with pepperoni, olives and green peppers on a serving utensil. Closeup of a cheese pull
Honestly surprising this ended up so high (or low) on the list. With an average of 3,161 pizza places in the state, NOT including chains, Pizza is a readily available option for New Jersey residents. Maybe that’s the problem..it’s readily available. Why go out of your way to get it every Sunday? Another versatile food option, it only returned an average search count of 1,020 — just 10 more than the hot dog. What’s even more surprising is that pizza ranked LAST among footballs fans on average across the country.
9. Popcorn
A wooden bowl of salted popcorn at the old wooden table. Dark background. selective focus.
Returning an average search count of 1,040, this is controversial (at least for me). THIS should be the #12 spot. It’s a movie food! When the game is on, my first instinct is not “Can’t wait to chow down on some popcorn, and get kernels in my teeth”. With that said, I still endure, and I still eat it when it’s around. Butter, Caramel, Cheddar…it’s all good.
8. Potato Skins
Delicious homemade potato skins with melted cheese, bacon, green onions and sour cream.”n
Now we start seeing pretty big jumps in the search count. This bar classic returned an average search count of 1,420. If you find an arrangement of sauces these make a delicious edition to any Football night snacks arrangement.
7. Chips & Dips
Bag chips doritos pattern top view on blue background
Talk about versatility! How many brands, styles, and flavors of chips are there out in the world? How many brands, styles, and flavors of dip are out there? Are you a Doritos person, or a Lay’s person? Are you the one guy who brought Fritos!? Do you like the punch of a spicy salsa? or the smooth flavor of ranch? Personally, grab a Jar of Tostino’s Queso Blanco and I can dip a piece of cardboard in it. I think it’s THAT good! Others agree chips and dip are a staple in the house, returning an average search count of 1,740.
6. Pretzels
Homemade Soft Pretzels with Salt Ready to Eat
The cousin to the chip, the Pretzel returned with a score of 2,010. Whether you enjoy the hard, bite-sized pretzels from a bag, the big and soft salted pretzels, or even the sticks that are perfect for dipping. Pretzels start off the list of the top 6!
5. BBQ Ribs
Barbecue Ribs With Sauсes Closeup. Man’s Hand With Spareribs. High Resolution
The messiest option, but always savory, BBQ ribs jump FAR ahead of the #6 spot with 2,770 for an average search volume. Just make sure you have a napkin on standby…
4. Chicken Wings
A variety of flavors of jumbo chicken Wings and ranch
Another large jump in average search volume, Chicken Wings are another snack that provides a medley of options. Boneless, or bone-In? And if you like bone-in, do you like flats or sticks?
Do you like Buffalo, BBQ, or Garlic Parmesan? In New Jersey, Chicken Wings had an average search volume of 3,420!3. Meatballs
A platter of delicious sweet and spicy meatballs.
Taking home the bronze medal, meatballs step away from the spaghetti dish and plant themselves in the third-place spot for your Sunday snack lineup! Meatballs returned and an average search volume of 5,450! What’s great about the meatball (other than everything), is when you get tired of using a fork, just plop one of those bad boys on a sub roll and you have yourselves a sandwich!
2. Nachos
Beef and cheese corn nachos served on a big plate ready to eat – Image
The runner-up goes to the reliable nacho! Now, I know what you might be thinking, and no, nachos do not count as “chips and dip”. The reason for that…presentation. Nachos are more than just chips and cheese, it’s chips, cheese, salsa, sour cream, peppers, olives, and occasionally, pork, all blissfully blended in one. Nachos returned an average search volume of 13,130!
1. Sliders
Two homemade beef burgers with mushrooms, micro greens, red onion, fried eggs and beet sauce on wooden cutting board. Side view, close up
New Jersey’s top spot goes to Sliders! Sliders returned the largest average search volume with 17,050! Sliders have gotten more creative through the years. But I’m a big proponent of keeping it simple. A nice medium-rare with cheese, ketchup, and onions, and I’m set!
Overall, sliders were the most popular snack choice for the country!
