3 ways the Mets can further prove they are for real in 2022

3) NY Mets need to punish the Braves for the rest of the season

The Mets and Braves will get to know each other very well in the next few months. The Braves are easily the biggest contender to dethrone the Mets from the National League East for good.

The two clubs have faced each other only four times this year with each taking a pair of games. While the Mets have a combined record of 22-7 against the other three National League East foes, they haven’t had a chance to put any serious dents in the Braves’ hopes and dreams.

There are plenty of opportunities for that. With trips to Atlanta and visits from them in New York left on the schedule, maybe the most important thing this club can do to prove they are for real is to take on what might be their biggest rival of all.

These two clubs have battled it out in the postseason twice, first in 1969 then again 30 years later in 1999. The Mets won the first series then won their first championship. Most recently, it was the Braves who were victorious. A rubber match would be a great way to end 2022—for the Braves. The Mets wouldn’t want to end it that way. They’d prefer to take down the reigning champions and be the ones to eliminate them from repeating.

In the regular season, some big wins against Atlanta can go a long way. A confident club is the best one. There might not be a better way to believe in yourself than big wins against Atlanta.