Let’s face it, despite one of their best games of the season Monday, the Mets need real help.

No matter how high their payroll is ($340 million at last count), and how many stars they possess (many), they aren’t getting to the World Series as currently constituted.

They might not even make the playoffs.

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The boy band known as the Reds still could beat them out of a postseason spot the way things are going. Only 2 ¹/₂ games separate the smallest market from the biggest for the final wild card following an impressive 13-3 Mets win over the first-place Phillies on Monday night, and the Mets’ much easier closing schedule provides little solace since they often play down to the level of their opponent.