Here are five things to watch when the Mets and Brewers play a three-game series in Milwaukee...

Max Scherzer vs. Corbin Burnes

Scherzer will return from his brief stint on the IL on Monday and match up against Corbin Burnes, who -- like Scherzer -- has been one of the best pitchers in baseball this season.

In 179 innings over 29 starts, Burnes has a 2.97 ERA (3.26 FIP) and 0.98 WHIP with 219 strikeouts. In his last start, on Wednesday against the Cardinals in St. Louis, Burnes allowed three runs (including two homers) on seven hits while walking one and striking out five in seven innings.

Scherzer, who tossed 3.2 innings in his only rehab start, will be on an innings/pitch limit in his start, but it isn't clear exactly what that limit is -- and don't expect Buck Showalter to reveal it, which would give a competitive advantage to Milwaukee.

A clinch could be coming

The Mets' magic number to clinch a playoff spot is two (any combination of one win for them and one loss for the Brewers), which means one Mets victory during this series would punch the their ticket to the postseason.

Entering the series, the Mets are 14 games ahead of the Brewers. New York has 14 games remaining, while Milwaukee has 16 left.

If the Mets do clinch in Milwaukee, don't expect a huge celebration, with the team still focused on beating out the Atlanta Braves for the NL East title. But the Mets will certainly acknowledge the clinch when it happens.

Brewers are fighting for their playoff lives

Unlike the Mets, whose trip to the playoffs is about to be sealed, the Brewers are on the outside looking in at the moment.

The Brewers, at 78-68, trail the Philadelphia Phillies (80-66) by 2.0 for the third Wild Card, and the San Diego Padres (81-66) by 2.5 games for the second Wild Card. The top Wild Card, currently held by the 91-55 Atlanta Braves, is out of reach for Milwaukee.

That these games matter so much to the Brewers should mean a challenging three games for the Mets, who have been facing losing teams for the last few weeks. But perhaps playing a team as hungry as Milwaukee will raise the Mets' level, too.

Mets bullpen reinforcements are here

In addition to Scherzer, Tylor Megill is expected to be activated from the IL before Monday's game and join the bullpen.

Megill, who has been out since June 17 due to a shoulder injury, had an up-and-down rehab stint, but should be a welcome addition to a Mets bullpen that can use another reliever who can potentially contribute in the late innings.

On Tuesday, the Mets should get some more bullpen help, with Drew Smith expected to be activated from the IL. Smith, who was one of the Mets' best relievers over the first few months of the season, last pitched on July 24.

Mets' offense is slowly heating up

The Mets scored 23 runs in their four-game sweep over the Pittsburgh Pirates, but the offense still isn't firing on all cylinders.

On Sunday, the Mets left a small village of runners on the bases in the early innings, which meant they had to break a 3-3 tie late to secure the win.

Daniel Vogelbach is out of his slump, with multi-hit games in his last three starts, and Mets catchers are continuing to contribute -- Tomas Nido especially. But the Mets still miss Starling Marte, who does not appear close to returning from his broken finger but is hopeful of making it back before the regular season ends.

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