The Braves have been the Mets’ rival for many a year at this point, and despite the Braves being eliminated from contention, it could come back to bite the Mets.

Every time the Mets play the Braves they  face a juiced up team prepared to blow a crushing loss to a rival amidst another potential postseason miss.  This weekend, the Mets lost two of three to the Braves and face them again for three games beginning on Friday. 

On the other hand, the Phillies have won the first two games in their three game set against the Braves and get to face them again for three games beginning next Monday. 

In short - the Braves will be as central to this race for the playoffs as any other team, other than the Mets, Phillies and Brewers of course. 

Does that bode well for the Mets? Probably not.  So far this season, the Mets are 6-9 against the Braves, despite the Braves having a 67-85 record. 

On the other hand, the Phillies have taken advantage of an uncharacteristically poor Bobby Cox squad.  Thus far the Phillies are 12-2 against the Braves.

There is no doubt in my mind that every game against the Mets is more important to Bobby Cox than most other games, especially when the Braves have the opportunity to play spoiler.  It probably gives the Phillies an upper hand, because the Braves care less about playing the Phillies who are less of a rival.  So? Let’s win tomorrow, go into the Braves series with some momentum and wipe that cigar out of Cox’s mouth and that smirk off his face.   

Plus, my Uncle is a die-hard Braves fan and I don’t want to deal with another winter of e-mails from him heckling us about missing the playoffs and the Braves beating on us.