Outside of the K-Mets facing off against the Greeneville Astros tonight in a win-or-go-home game in Kingsport, three other Mets minor league affiliates are prepping today for their playoff opening games tomorrow.

Wally Backman and the Las Vegas 51s finished the season with an 81-62 record, good for second-best in all of the Pacific Coast League. The 51s are heading to the postseason for the first time since 2002, and considering the type of roster changes Backman had to deal with this season, it’s amazing he’s been able to keep his team focused and successful. They’ll first be facing off against the Salt Lake Bees to see who moves on to the next round. Matt Fox gets the festivities started in Utah tomorrow night for Vegas.

In the Eastern League, Pedro Lopez and his Binghamton Mets finished the season with an 86-55 record, by far the best in the league, and the best in B-Mets history. To get their playoffs off on the right foot, they will be sending Noah Syndergaard to the mound to face the Trenton Thunder. He hasn’t pitched since allowed nine earned runs and nine hits against Bowie on August 26th, but I have a feeling he will be ready to rock once the first pitch is thrown tomorrow night in Trenton.

The Savannah Sand Gnats struggled to a 34-35 second half record, but are also prepping for the postseason since they captured the first half championship. They put together a 43-26 record prior to the SAL All-Star break, and are 77-61 overall in 2013. They’ll be facing the Augusta Green Jackets, the SAL Southern Division second half champs, on the road in Augusta. The Gnats will also have their ace on the mound for Game 1, running out Gabriel Ynoa to the mound, the SAL pitcher of the year.

Needless to say, I’m pretty excited for the rest of our minor league affiliates to get their respective postseasons underway. With the big league team heading toward their fifth-straight losing season and not being in any type of playoff race since 2008, I’ve almost forgotten what it feels like to get some extra baseball after the regular season is done. These four minor league squads making the playoffs doesn’t mean the Mets will be doing the same in Flushing any time soon, but it’s gratifying to follow these teams so closely all season and watch them get rewarded for their solid play with a chance at a championship.

The K-Mets have Robert Whalen on the mound tonight, who is just the pitcher I’d want in a game with this much on the line. I’d also take Syndergaard and Ynoa any day of the week.

I think there is a legitimate chance we see more than one minor league team come away with a championship trophy. Who do you think comes away victorious over the next couple weeks (if any)?