The New York Mets needed this win.
Playing Thursday night against the Chicago Cubs, they knew the Cincinnati Reds had already won earlier in the day. A Mets loss would've given the Reds back control of their own destiny.
But some early slugging from the Mets proved enough to beat the Cubs and maintain a lead in the NL Wild Card standings.
The Mets are 1.0-game up on the Reds, but the Reds hold the tiebreaker.
There are three games left in the season for New York, a series with the Miami Marlins.
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What is the Mets' magic number?
The New York Mets' magic number is 3, with three games to play.
If the Mets sweep the final series with the Marlins, they're in the playoffs.
If they win two, they need the Reds to lose at least one.
If they win one, they need the Reds to lose at least two.
And if they win none, they need the Reds to lose all three.
Essentially, Cincinnati can't outdo the Mets in record over the last three games of the season. The Reds face the Brewers, who are all clinched already but are also a very good ballclub.
This one could come down to the final day of the season on Sunday when every game in the league starts at 3:10 p.m. ET.
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