MLB wild-card series Day 3: Mets-Brewers updates, analysis - ESPN

After the other three MLB wild-card series ended in sweeps, all eyes are on Milwaukee, where the New York Mets and Milwaukee Brewers will meet in a Game 3 showdown on Thursday night (Live on ESPN). The winner gets a National League Division Series date with the Philadelphia Phillies — and the loser goes home.

Which side has the edge? We've got you covered with predictions, keys, lineups, live updates and analysis as the games are played, followed by our takeaways after the final pitch.

Key links: MLB playoff preview | Bracket | Picks | Watch on ESPN

Pitching matchup: Jose Quintana (10-10, 3.75 ERA) vs. Tobias Myers (9-6, 3.00 ERA)

What is the key to Game 3 for the Mets?

David Schoenfield: A key will be how manager Carlos Mendoza strategizes the late innings. He didn't bring in closer Edwin Diaz for a six-out save in Game 2 like he did Monday against the Braves, but Diaz now has two days off after throwing 40 pitches in that game and 26 the day before. Phil Maton blew the lead in Game 2; he has pitched four times in five days and hasn't looked good his past two outings (especially after serving up the two home runs Wednesday). The trust factor may be low with him, which will force Mendoza to consider other relievers or even starter David Peterson (who last pitched Sunday).

Bradford Doolittle: The Mets need to find some long-ball power. They've done a tremendous job of stringing together rallies and hitting with runners in scoring position. But they haven't gone deep and it's hard to imagine them winning again without homering in one of baseball's most homer-friendly venues.

Jesse Rogers: Which version of Quintana shows up? Is it the one who produced a 5.63 ERA in August or the one who finished the season strong,