Brandon Nimmo is ready to finally taste some Mets postseason success

MILWAUKEE — Brandon Nimmo made his debut with the Mets in 2016, a year after the team’s unexpected run to the World Series that ended with a Game 5 loss to the Royals.

As the longest-tenured Mets player, Nimmo understands this sobering fact better than his teammates: It has been nine years since the team has won a postseason series.

There was a wild card berth in Nimmo’s rookie season that ended with a one-game loss to the Giants. And then, in 2022, the Mets lost a best-of-three wild-card series to the Padres at Citi Field.

The Mets started another wild-card series on Tuesday with an 8-4 win over the Brewers at American Family Field, and for Nimmo, just getting here isn’t enough.

“I’ve been fortunate to be a part of three (postseasons), but the biggest thing that stands out to me is the teams that make it normal here, they seem to have the success,” Nimmo said.

The Astros, Braves and Dodgers all fall into that category. The only inspiration for the Mets might be the fact that the last two NL pennant winners – the Phillies and Diamondbacks – emerged as wild-card entrants.

The Mets won 89 games in the regular season, and in some ways Tuesday may have felt like an extension of that: They returned to a venue where they played just three games this weekend. Playing a doubleheader in Atlanta on Monday also eliminated the usual day of training before a postseason series.

“It actually gives a sense of normalcy,” Nimmo said. “Maybe that will work to our advantage.”

Max Kranick was selected to the wild card series roster to give the Mets a reassured arm in the bullpen. Tylor Megill, who started the clincher in Atlanta on Monday, was ruled out of the roster but could return for the next round if the Mets advance.

Kranick, 27, spent the season at Triple-A Syracuse after returning from a hamstring injury that sidelined him during spring training.

Eddy Alvarez was named for the assignment to create space on the 40-man roster for Kranick. Alvarez, an infielder, will not be eligible for the postseason because he arrived in a trade in September.

Kodai Senga faced hitters during live batting practice on Sunday, but according to manager Carlos Mendoza, it is unclear what the next step could be for the right-hander. Senga reported triceps pain during a minor league rehab start a week and a half ago, but has not been ruled out as an option at some point in the postseason.

Jeff McNeil is working out as he awaits the birth of a child after having his wrist x-rayed in recent days. According to Mendoza, the Mets would have to advance well into October before McNeil would have a chance to return.

Brett Baty, Pablo Reyes and Hayden Senger are with the Mets as part of the taxi squad.