Mets' second-half schedule gets easier after Dodgers series

Immediately following the All-Star break, the Mets have the wonderful privilege of playing ten consecutive games against the Cardinals, Nationals, and Dodgers, the three NL division leaders. This is a difficult stretch for even the best of teams. But luckily for the Mets, their schedule is about to take a very, very favorable turn.

After this weekend's series against the Dodgers, the Mets will play just 15 of their remaining 63 games against teams that are currently over .500. More than three-quarters of the unplayed schedule finds the Mets opposing lesser teams—second-division teams, as Keith Hernandez might call them—a run that includes 10 games against the MLB-worst Phillies, nine against the Marlins, and seven against the Braves. The Mets are 20-11 against these teams this year, including an 8-1 record against the Phillies.

The Mets' August schedule is especially easy. Aside from six games against the Pirates and Nationals, the Mets will play the Marlins, Rays, Rockies, Orioles, Phillies, and Red Sox. These teams combine for a meager .439 winning percentage, so the Mets will almost exclusively play losing teams for a month.

Even when they do play better teams, the Mets still have a favorable setup. Of their 15 remaining games against winning teams, nine are against the Nationals, including six home games. The only other winning teams they will play are the Pirates and Yankees. Additionally, 12 of these games will be played at Citi Field. So just three more road games against winning teams remain on the horizon this season.

In addition to all of this, 35 of the Mets' remaining 65 games will be played at home. This is good news considering that the Mets have a .696 home winning percentage, compared to a woeful .347 mark on the road.

This schedule setup could factor into GM Sandy Alderson's ultimate course of action at next week's trade deadline. Between their nine remaining matchups with the Nationals and 46 games against losing teams, the Mets theoretically have a real chance to pick up ground on Washington. If a trade or two can be made to bolster the Mets' offense, the team would be given an even greater chance at October baseball. The Mets have one of the best pitching staffs in baseball, and if the offense began to comply, there is no telling what they could do. Especially with their upcoming schedule.