The Mets enter play on Monday with a record of 81-74, trailing both the Brewers (86-70) and Nationals (85-69) by 4.5 games for the two Wild Card spots in the National League.

As far as the free-falling Cubs (82-74), the Mets would draw even with them with a win against the Marlins on Monday night.

The odds for the Mets are very long -- FanGraphs gives them just a 2.0 percent chance of making the playoffs. But until they're eliminated, the possibility remains that the Mets will do something miraculous and make it past Game 162.

Here's what that miracle would probably entail:

What the Mets likely need to do...

Run the table.

It's as simple as that -- go 7-0 against the Marlins (four games) and Braves (three games) to finish with a record of 88-74 and put legitimate pressure on the teams ahead of them in the standings.

If the Mets do win out, they will finish in no worse than a tie with the Cubs, who finish the season with a six-game road trip against the Pirates (three games) and Cardinals (three games).

What the Mets need the Brewers to do...

The Mets are four losses back of the Brewers, meaning their elimination number when it comes to catching them is three (any combination of three Mets losses and Brewers wins would end the Mets' chances of tying them or finishing ahead).

In a scenario where the Mets go 7-0, they would need the Brewers to go 2-4 or worse in order to tie them or move past them.

After steamrolling the hapless Pirates in a three-game sweep over the weekend, the Brewers finish the season with a six-game road trip against the Reds (three games) and Rockies (three games).

What the Mets need the Nationals to do...

The Mets are five losses back of the Nationals, who have eight games left, meaning New York's elimination number when it comes to catching them is four.

In a scenario where the Mets go 7-0, they would need the Nats to go 3-5 or worse in order to tie or move past them.

The Nats have been slipping a bit lately and finish the season with an eight-game homestand against the Phillies (five games, including a doubleheader) and Indians (three games).

The Phillies (79-75) cannot catch the Mets if New York wins out, so the Mets should be hoping for the Phils to win every game they have against the Nats this week.

After facing the Phillies, the Nats welcome in the Indians, who are currently tied for the second Wild Card in the American League and who could be playing for their lives over the weekend.

If it comes down to the Mets' weekend series against the Braves...

In a scenario where the Mets enter Friday night's game against the Braves still alive for a Wild Card spot, they could be in solid position because the Braves simply might not have anything left to play for.

The Braves (96-61) are 4.5 games back of the Dodgers (100-56) for the top playoff seed in the NL (which brings with it home field through the NLCS) and have already clinched a better record than the Cardinals (89-67), who are locked into the third playoff seed in the NL.

If the Braves aren't fighting for the top seed this weekend, it's hard to see them letting their starting pitchers go all out or turning to their best relievers more than once. It also wouldn't be surprising to see them give some of their key offensive players one or more games off.

That's not to say the Braves would lie down, but a team that is already locked into their playoff seed is arguably far less dangerous than an already-eliminated team with nothing to lose.

In any event, even if the Mets go 7-0 and get help elsewhere, the result could be a play-in game (or more than one play-in game) just to get to the Wild Card game. But that's something the Mets would gladly sign up for.

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