Brandon Nimmo has message for Mets fans ahead of crucial series

Disappointing Citi Field attendance numbers generated local headlines during the spring after the Mets seemed to put a slow start of the season behind them. They've since become one of the league's positive surprises since the start of June, but many fans nevertheless have remained away from Citi Field through the closing days of summer. 

According to Justin Tasch of the New York Post, the Mets drew an announced attendance of 21,694 for Monday's game before a reported 24,932 fans paid to watch Tuesday's 10-1 win. After longtime Mets radio voice Howie Rose and WFAN radio host Brandon Tierney openly wondered why fans weren't flocking to Queens to see what could be a playoff team, The Post's Mike Vaccaro noted that a reported 34,196 people attended Wednesday's blowout. 

Per ESPN stats, the Mets began Thursday ranked 17th in attendance for the ongoing campaign.

"Around this time of year, when the energy is high, the weather’s starting to cool off a little bit, it just has that feeling about it, where things mean more," Nimmo added during postgame comments, per SNY's Anthony McCarron. "Each pitch means more. It’s a lot of fun. The energy (at Citi Field) was great tonight. But we want even more. This weekend, we want that place filled up." 

The 84-68 Mets open a three-game series at Atlanta this coming Tuesday and, thus, likely feel they need to win at least two of four matchups versus Philadelphia from Thursday through Sunday. With that said, the New York Jets play their regular-season home opener at MetLife Stadium on Thursday night. That occasion almost certainly will attract some fans to New Jersey who otherwise may have considered heading to Citi Field.