WASHINGTON -- As the New York Mets pause on Thursday for a day off, they will gain ground on someone.
That's because the San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals, the two primary adversaries for the wild-card spots, begin a four-game series against each other in California.
The Giants (77-68) and Mets (77-69) currently occupy the two playoff positions, while the Cardinals (76-69) are a half-game out.
"We've got a chance to do some damage if we take care of our own business," Terry Collins said.
The Mets begin their final homestand of the regular season on Friday when Bartolo Colon (13-7, 3.27 ERA) opposes Minnesota Twins right-hander Jose Berrios (2-6, 9.27).
Minnesota owns the worst record in baseball. The Mets do not face another team with a winning record this season unless the Miami Marlins (73-73) climb back over .500.
THURSDAY'S NEWS REPORTS:
Fernando Salas surrendered a homer to Wilson Ramos in the seventh inning and the Nationals beat the Mets, 1-0, in Wednesday's rubber game in D.C. Robert Gsellman contributed 5 2/3 scoreless innings. The Mets loaded the bases with one out in the first against Tanner Roark, but Jay Bruce struck out looking and T.J. Rivera flied out in foul territory. Afterward, Collins acknowledged he has met with Bruce and pretty much resolved to stick with the slumping right fielder. Collins noted he would need to have confidence in an alternative to sit Bruce -- a seeming slight at Michael Conforto, who has not started since Sept. 5. Daniel Murphy hit .413 (31-for-75) with seven homers and 21 RBIs and had a hit in all 19 games against his former club this season. Rene Rivera started over Travis d'Arnaud for a second straight game and threw out two would-be base stealers at second base to complete strike-'em-out, throw-'em-out double plays. Read game recaps in the Post, Daily News, Newsday, Times, Record and at NJ.com and MLB.com.
Wilmer Flores is due to be examined on Thursday morning at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan -- but not for the neck injury that originally had been public after his plate collision with A.J. Pierzynski in Atlanta. It turns out the bigger issue regarding Flores is with his right wrist. Flores has been unable to swing a bat since the collision. An X-ray taken in Atlanta showed no fracture, but the issue lingers. So perhaps a ligament injury will be discovered during the examination with team doctors. Read more at NJ.com.
Gsellman has not swung the bat with Triple-A Las Vegas or the Mets because he has some degree of labrum tear in his non-pitching shoulder. He will be reevaluated after the season, at which point it will be determined whether surgery is required. For now, Gsellman is only bunting.
Major League Baseball released the 2017 schedule on Wednesday. The Mets open the season hosting the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field on April 3. The Subway Series is Aug. 14-17 -- with two games in the Bronx, then two games in Queens. The Mets face the AL West. The trips are to Texas (June 6-7), Seattle (July 28-30) and Houston (Sept. 1-3). See the full schedule here.
Steven Matz and Jacob deGrom both threw bullpen sessions on Wednesday. Collins said his preference is not to have Noah Syndergaard pitch on Sunday against the Twins on standard rest, so perhaps Matz and deGrom will be ready to share the duty that day.
Read more on Bruce's struggles from columnists Mike Vaccaro in the Post and David Lennon in Newsday.
Read more on d'Arnaud losing playing time in the Post and Newsday.
From the bloggers … Faith and Fear is holding on tight to September's emotional roller coaster. ... Mets Report is pleased with the depth pitchers like Gsellman have provided.
BIRTHDAYS: Satoru Komiyama turns 51. ... Jason Hardtke is 45. ... John Pacella is 60. ... John Christensen is 56. ... Doug Simons is 50.
TWEET OF THE DAY:
@AdamRubinESPN I'd rather watch the peyton manning direct tv commercial over and over again than watch bruce at the plate - brutal
— Jennifer (@jennmc725) September 14, 2016
YOU'RE UP: Should the Mets pick up Bruce's $13 million option for 2017 after the season?
