The National League wild card race has gotten mighty interesting in the last week. After the Mets won in Cincinnati last Friday, they were tied for the Padres for the second wild card spot with the Giants four games back, Diamondbacks 5 ½ games out and Reds six back.

Here's how quickly things can turn in baseball: since Friday, the Mets have lost five straight games. The Reds have won four of five. And, hoo boy, do we have a race now ...

The Cubs are seven games ahead of the Mets and seem safely in. The Padres are three games ahead of the Mets for the second spot, so let's focus on the third berth while acknowledging that San Diego is in no way out of the woods here.

Playoff picture headed into Thursday's slate:

Mets, 76-70

Reds 74-72, 2 games back

Giants 74-72, 2 GB

Dia

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