The Mets place games into five pricing tiers, and prices are finalized before the season starts—in other words, before we know which teams are good, and without acknowledging the inherent excitement of pennant races. Cheap seats are still available for some potentially great matchups, including with the Atlanta Braves, August 7–9 (“silver” tier: from $17). The Braves, who have defied low expectations this year, were put on the same price tier as the Pittsburgh Pirates, a team whose play has been so bad over the last decade that some speculate it’s a long-running practical joke. Tickets are also available for another series with an East Coast rival, the Philadelphia Phillies, September 14–16 (also silver tier), during the drive for the pennant. And “value” tier tickets (from $5) can be had for a series with the Washington Nationals, September 24–26. The Nats are worse than the Pirates. Fortunately, the easily defeatable squad arrives around the time the Mets will be trying to secure a playoff spot. Go, and you might see them clinch.

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