Breaking down the Mets’ competition in tight NL wild-card race

ANAHEIM, Calif. — The guesswork about who might end up where is finally finished, placing the focus on the postseason races for the final two months.

On Friday, the Mets began a 10-game road trip with one of their trade deadline additions, Paul Blackburn, stymying the Angels in a 5-1 win .

The Mets, most realistically battling for an NL wild-card berth, began the day with a 46.8 percent chance of reaching the postseason, according to Fangraphs .

And their remaining schedule strength of .492 was the fourth-easiest in the NL.

A breakdown of the other NL wild-card contenders (all numbers entering Friday’s play):

Record : 59-49

Remaining SOS : .484 (second-easiest in NL)

Deadline upgrades : Jorge Soler and Luke Jackson were acquired from the Giants , bringing a right-handed bat and reliever to the team. Soler was the World Series MVP for the Braves in 2021.

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Health : It’s a banged-up team that is without Max Fried, Ozzie Albies and Michael Harris II after losing Ronald Acuña Jr. and Spencer Strider for the season. Harris II is expected back in August, but it’s unclear if Albies and Fried will return in the regular season.

Bottom line : Even with the injuries, the Braves have formidable lineup pieces in Marcell Ozuna, Matt Olson, Austin Riley and Soler. The rotation has two horses in Chris Sale and Reynaldo Lopez and the bullpen is deep. The relatively easy schedule will only help the Braves.

Record : 59-51

Remaining SOS : .488 (third-easiest in NL)

Deadline upgrades : The Padres were among the splashiest teams at the deadline, landing maybe the best reliever on the trade market in Tanner Scott from Miami . Another high-end reliever was added in Jason Adam from Tampa Bay. The May trade with Miami for Luis Arraez was another big one for the Padres.

Health : Fernando Tatis Jr. may not return before September from a stress reaction in his right leg. The starting rotation could get a boost this month with Joe Musgrove’s expected return from right elbow inflammation that has kept him sidelined since May.

Bottom line : The Padres have a deep lineup and a stud in Dylan Cease atop the rotation, with a fortified bullpen. They seem equipped for a run at the top wild-card spot.

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Record : 58-51

Remaining SOS : .500 (tied for eighth-easiest in NL)

Deadline upgrades : The team added relievers A.J. Puk and Dylan Floro from the Marlins and Nationals, respectively. Another bat was acquired in a deal with the Marlins for Josh Bell to help compensate for Christian Walker’s loss to an oblique injury.

Health : Walker’s loss isn’t necessarily for the season, but oblique injuries often linger. The Diamondbacks could be getting a starting rotation boost with Merrill Kelly’s possible return from a right shoulder strain that has kept him sidelined since April.

Bottom line : This is a team that rallied in the second half of last season and got all the way to Game 5 of the World Series. The D’backs starting pitching is still questionable, but the lineup is respectable — led by Ketel Marte — and the bullpen should be improved.

Record : 56-53

SOS : .506 (second-most difficult in NL)

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Deadline upgrades : Erick Fedde arrived from the White Sox in one of the bigger trades for a starting pitcher before the deadline. The Cardinals also received another bat with Tommy Pham’s return to the organization into which he was drafted.

Health : Lance Lynn and Steven Matz are starting pitchers who could return in the coming weeks. Matz hasn’t pitched since April because of back pain. Lynn was pitching decently for the team before right knee inflammation shelved him two weeks ago.

Bottom line : The Cardinals’ lineup isn’t going to scare anybody, with Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado perhaps on the downside of their careers, but Fedde at least will provide the team with an ace for the rotation. The bullpen has been a team strength.

Record : 55-53

SOS : .505 (third-most difficult in NL)

Deadline upgrades : Bryan De La Cruz was obtained from the Marlins to give the team another bat in the lineup. The Pirates also added infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa in a deal with the Blue Jays.

Health : Josh Palacios is on the injured list with a strained hamstring and it’s unclear when he might return.

Bottom line : The Pirates deserve credit for hanging around in the wild-card race, but the competition is stiff. Sending Paul Skenes to the mound every fifth day will only get them so far.

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