Mets Stamp Postseason Ticket Amid Classic Down in Atlanta

 They don't call them the Amazin's for nothing!

The New York Mets stamped their ticket to the postseason following one of the most improbable and incredible games in regular season franchise history. The Mets stormed back twice against the Atlanta Braves to win the opener of a double-header 8-7 to secure a spot in the 2024 playoffs.

Edwin Diaz and Francisco Alvarez celebrate. Getty Images.

 

The thrilling developments all took place in the late stages. With the Mets trailing 3-0 heading into the eighth inning, it felt like certain doom was imminent for the Mets.

Instead the Mets, and maybe even the baseball gods had other plans.

Slowly the Mets started to come back. Back to back doubles by Tyrone Taylor and Francisco Alvarez produced the Mets first run.

A single by Starling Marte, and a base hit by Francisco Lindor drove in Alvarez to make Mets fans start to believe again at 3-2.

Finally the "OMG" King himself, Jose Iglesias singled to right field, driving in Marte with the tying run, and Mark Vientos put the Amazin's in front with a sac fly. Just like that it was 4-3 New York.

Before Mets fans could catch their breath, Brandon Nimmo launched a pitch into the right field stands to make it 6-3.

Ball game, right? Wrong! 

 

Phil Maton and Edwin Diaz combined to implode in the bottom of the eighth inning as Atlanta scratched out four runs to retake the lead 7-6 thanks in big part to Ozzie Albies three-run double.

But when it mattered the most, the one man who has been the Mets most valuable player stepped up in the biggest spot of the season. In the top of the ninth inning, Francisco Lindor crushed a Pierce Johnson fastball over the right field wall to give the Mets the lead back at 8-7.

The Mets dugout exploded. Mets fans across the Tri State area were going nuts either in their houses, their offices, or where ever they were watching or listening to the game.

Diaz, despite a rising pitch count found a way out of trouble in the bottom half of the ninth, striking out ex-Met Travis d'Arnaud to seal the deal for the Amazin's. Diaz threw his glove into the ground, hugged catcher Francisco Alvarez, and soon the entire team surrounded them in jubilation.

 

Since the game concluded many have now called it one of the greatest regular season games ever played in baseball history. It's hard to argue against it. Game 161 meant everything to both the Mets and Braves, and both teams put on a clinic.

NEXT UP:

The Mets will head to Milwaukee to open the Wild Card round on Tuesday evening at 5:30. Luis Severino will get the ball for New York. The series is a best of three. The winner heads to Philadelphia for the Division series that begins this weekend.