CINCINNATI, OH - SEPTEMBER 27: Micahel Cuddyer #23 of New York Mets celebrate with Terry Collins #10 manager of the New York Mets after defeating the Cincinnati Reds 10-2 to clinch the National League East Championship at Great American Ball Park on September 26, 2015 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by John Sommers II/Getty Images)
For the first time since 2006, the New York Mets will play postseason baseball. While they are elated to have secured a bid, they have their sights set on more than just a brief appearance in the October spotlight.
As they wrap up the season this week, the Mets have no intentions of taking their foot off the pedal, as they are still in the midst of another battle despite having clinched the NL East: home-field advantage.
Set to face the Dodgers in the NLDS, the Mets understand how important having home-field advantage will be.
"We're going to play to win as many games as we can and to try to get home-field advantage in the first round," Collins said, per Newsday. "I think it's very, very important to have that. I think it's something to shoot for. I think when you're still playing for something, it prepares you better."
Heading into Tuesday, the Mets (89-67) hold an edge on the Dodgers (87-69) with only a week's worth of games remaining in the regular season.
"It's a big deal, especially when you haven't been into the postseason in a long time," veteran outfielder Michael Cuddyer said of home-field advantage. "It gives the fans just that added bit of excitement."