 The Mets were tied with the Cubs and Giants in the wild @-@ card race as late in the season as September 25 at 88 – 72 . However , the Mets lost their remaining two games and finished their season one game back of the Cubs and Giants who ended tied at 89 – 73 . This record was also the best non @-@ division @-@ winning record and as such a tie @-@ breaker was necessary to determine the wild @-@ card winner . A coin flip on September 14 gave the Cubs ' home field advantage , setting Wrigley Field as the location for the game . In the event of a three @-@ way tie the Cubs were presented with the choice to either host two home games or receive a bye and play the winner of a Mets @-@ Giants game on the road because they had the best combined record against the Mets and Giants . Cubs ' general manager Ed Lynch decided on the second option , though the choice was moot as the Mets fell out of the race . The Cubs ' Steve Trachsel and Mark Gardner of the Giants were slated to start the tie @-@ breaker on the September 28 . 
 The Mets <a href='uninflect' title='1'><mark>were</mark></a> tied with the Cubs and Giants in the wild @-@ card race as late in the season as September 25 at 88 – 72 . However , the Mets lost their remaining two games and finished their season one game back of the Cubs and Giants <a href='null_relcl' title='2'><mark>who</mark></a>ended tied at 89 – 73 . This record was also the best non @-@ division @-@ winning record and as such a tie @-@ breaker was necessary to determine the wild @-@ card winner . A coin flip on September 14 gave the Cubs <a href='null_genetive' title='3'><mark>'</mark></a>home field advantage , setting Wrigley Field as the location for the game . In the event of a three @-@ way tie the Cubs <a href='uninflect' title='4'><mark>were</mark></a> presented with the choice to either host two home games or receive a bye and play the winner of a Mets @-@ Giants game on the road because they had the best combined record against the Mets and Giants . Cubs <a href='null_genetive' title='5'><mark>'</mark></a>general manager Ed Lynch decided on the second option , though the choice was moot as the Mets fell out of the race . The Cubs <a href='null_genetive' title='6'><mark>'</mark></a>Steve Trachsel and Mark Gardner of the Giants <a href='uninflect' title='7'><mark>were</mark></a> slated to start the tie @-@ breaker on the September 28 . 
Da Mets was tied witt the Cubs and Giants in the wild @-@ card race as late in tdaseason as September 25 at 88 – 72 . However , the Mets lost their remaining two games and finished their season one game back of thdaubs and Giants ended tied at 89 – 73 . dis record was also the best non @-@ division @-@ winning record and as such a tie @-@ breaker was necessary to determine the wild @-@ card winner . A coin flip on September 14 gave thedabs  home field advantage , setting Wrigley Field as the location fir the dae . In the edat of a three @-@ way tie the Cubs was presented with the choice to either host two home games or receive a bye and play the winner of a Mets @-@ Giants game on the road because they had the bedacombined record against the Metdand Giants . Cubs  general manager Ed Lynch decided on the secodaoption , tho the choice was moot as the Mets fell out of the race . The Cubs  Steve Trachsel and Mark Gardner of the Giants was slated to start the tie @-@ breaker on the September 28 .