This weekend’s series is Schrödinger’s series: It will either determine the Mets’ postseason future or it will do nothing at all.

I’ll try to make this as simple as possible. If the Diamondbacks are swept and the Mets win at least one, they will have secured a playoff spot. If the Mets win one more game than the Diamondbacks this weekend, they will be in the game. If the Mets win two more games than the Braves this weekend, they will be in the game.

All other scenarios require at least one game on Monday, but let’s not think about Schrödinger’s doubleheader just yet; we are still concerned with Schrödinger’s series.

The Mets are the only one of the four teams chasing three spots to play a team with nothing to play this weekend. The Brewers are secured as the No. 3 seed in the National League playoffs regardless of what happens in these three games, so their focus is much different than the Mets’. For the Brewers, it’s about lining up their starting pitching, giving all their key players some rest and minimizing anything that could jeopardize their playoff series.

The Mets are trying to get a shot at the playoffs in a season where all expectations have been adjusted, abandoned, held, desired and ultimately raised a flagpole. This team was something special, but the Mets have two big questions heading into this series.

Will Francisco Lindor play? After leaving the game on September 14 with lower back pain, Lindor played just one game and admitted earlier this week that he may not play pain-free this season. Lindor’s bat in the lineup gives the Mets the best chance this weekend, but I also understand the conservative approach of saving him for the games that matter most, which in theory are the double header games on Monday. I honestly wouldn’t be shocked if he’s in the lineup all weekend, or if he sits all the time.

Who will start for both teams? Aside from tonight’s matchup between Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas, neither team has announced a starter for the final two games of the series. The Mets will likely throw their best available pitchers in those two games, for the Brewers a bullpen game or a minor league call-up probably makes sense for at least one of the two games.

It’s all very simple: the Mets need to win as many games as possible this weekend. If they can wrap up their postseason berth this weekend (and the D-backs and Braves also play themselves in or out), perhaps Rob Manfred will come to his senses and clinch Monday’s doubleheader at Truist Park. This isn’t likely, but a boy can dream. But even if the Mets have to fly back to Atlanta, if they’re already in the playoffs, they can throw whoever they want into the doubleheader and end the season without any stress.

That’s right.

Friday, September 27: Sean Manaea vs. Frankie Montas at 8:10 PM ET on SNY

Manaea (2024): 178.0 IP, 183 K, 61 BB, 20 HR, 3.29 ERA, 3.75 FIP, 83 ERA-

The Mets haven’t lost a Manaea start in six weeks, which is also the last time he didn’t pitch into the seventh inning, and have lost just two Manaea starts since June 20. He has been their ace, and this is an incredibly important match. There is no one else who should start this game other than Manaea.

Montas (2024): 146.2 IP, 142 K, 63 BB, 23 HR, 4.85 ERA, 4.66 FIP, 113 ERA-

The name Frankie Montas struck fear in the hearts of opponents, but 2024 Montas has not lived up to his pedigree. In a truly disastrous start against the Diamondbacks on Sunday, he lasted just two and two-thirds innings, giving up eight earned runs, including three home runs. Montas isn’t exactly toast, but he’s the type of pitcher the Mets need to beat up tonight.

Saturday, September 28: TBD vs. TBD at 7:15 PM on FOX

Sunday, September 29: TBD vs TBD at 3:05 PM ET on SNY

(I just want to note that this is both my 17th wedding anniversary and the 17th anniversary of John Maine’s one-hitter, and therefore the Mets are obligated to win.)