Mets-Padres matinee at Citi Field tests wild-card hopes as bet365 promo draws attention

The Mets will close out their three-game series with the San Diego Padres in a Thursday matinee at Citi Field, a showdown that could tilt the balance in the National League wild-card race. New York will start rookie Jonah Tong, making his third big-league appearance, opposing Padres right-hander Randy Vasquez. First pitch is set for 1:10 p.m. ET. The game marks another chance for the Mets to gain ground on a rival they may encounter again in October, depending on how the final weeks unfold.

San Diego sits ahead of the Mets in the wild-card standings, and New York has spent much of September trying to steady a volatile season while clinging to a postseason spot. A win in the matinee would provide a meaningful boost to morale and momentum as the Mets navigate a stretch of games that could determine whether they reach the expanded field. The series sweep would also narrow the gap for New York, giving the club a clearer path in what has been a roller-coaster year for Queens.

Fans and bettors alike have been looking for angles around the game, including sportsbook promos tied to Thursday’s action. Bet365 is advertising a NYPBET promotion that allows new customers who bet $5 to receive $200 in bonus bets, regardless of the wager’s outcome. The offer is available in a defined set of states, including Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Virginia. To sign up, a user should select the Bet $5, Get $200 bonus option, choose their state, enter the promo code NYPBET, and complete a minimum deposit of $10. Bonus Bets are subject to the operator’s terms and conditions and may be restricted in how they can be used.

The NY Post Betting team notes that the Mets entered September with some breathing room but have watched that cushion shrink over a rough stretch, raising the stakes for every remaining game. A timely win in this series could help stabilize the club’s wild-card positioning, while a loss would intensify pressure as the calendar moves toward the season’s final weeks. For San Diego, maintaining a lead in the wild-card race would reinforce its position as a potential playoff opponent in October, depending on the broader standings.

Thursday’s matinee is part of a busy day baseball slate, but the Mets-Padres clash at Citi Field stands out for its direct implications in the wild-card chase. The outcome will influence not only the standings but the mood around both clubs as they navigate the tight margins of a pennant race that has delivered its share of surprises all season long.