Mets' playoff hopes dwindling after recent struggles vs. Phillies

For the past three months, the New York Mets have been one of the worst teams in baseball. Since reaching their peak of 21 games over .500 on June 12, the Mets have gone 31-46, just ahead of the lowly Washington Nationals, Minnesota Twins and Colorado Rockies. 

New York's situation has only worsened after its 11-3 loss against the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday night. They are 10 games back of the Phillies for first place in the National League East and hold a two-game lead over the Cincinnati Reds for the final NL wild-card spot. Overall, the Mets haven't played like a playoff team, and their biggest issue at the moment is inconsistency.

Francisco Lindor addresses Mets' inconsistency

"We haven't been consistent," Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor said. "It's one of those years that things haven't clicked for a long time."

No one in the Mets' locker room really has an answer as to why this team has been on a downward spiral. There are 16 games left in the season, and it is up to them to prove that they deserve the final National League wild-card spot.

"We have a good team," Lindor continued. "The bottom line is we just haven't played at the standard that we all have for each other here."

Who will the Mets play to conclude the season?

In the last five series of the year, the Mets will face the Texas Rangers, San Diego Padres, Washington Nationals, Chicago Cubs and Miami Marlins.

However, the first thing New York must do is avoid a four-game sweep by the Phillies on Thursday. If right-hander David Peterson can put together a quality start and the Mets' offense wakes up, then they can ride that momentum into their three-game set with the Rangers this weekend.

In that series, New York will have rookie pitchers Jonah Tong, Brandon Sproat and Nolan McLean on the mound as they try to extend their lead in the wild-card standings. Urgency will be a key factor for them going forward, but what is needed now more than ever is energy.