The Mets have been vacated by the Brewers as the road to the MLB playoffs gets more complicated

MILWAUKEE — So much for waking up and claiming a National League wild-card berth by force.

October baseball still has a chance for the Mets, but what could have been a statement weekend and a relatively easy path to the playoffs turned into a stressful slog.

The Mets were humbled for a third straight game on Saturday night, losing 6-0 to the Brewers at American Family Field and moving closer to needing to return to Atlanta for Monday's makeup doubleheader.

The Mets managed just two hits and bore little resemblance to the team that won three of four games against the Phillies at Citi Field to close out the last homestand.

The Mets have scored one, four and zero runs in their three games.

Atlanta, Arizona and the Mets all started tied for the remaining two NL wild-card spots.

Atlanta took a one-game lead with a walkoff win over Kansas City, and Arizona was still playing when the Mets ended their latest streak, in which they struck out 11 times against five pitchers.

The Mets own the tiebreaker with Arizona based on season series wins.