2024 MLB Playoffs: With Momentum and a Little Magic, Mets Roll to Wild Card Game 1 Win vs. Brewers

MILWAUKEE – You may not believe in magic, but it might be time to start believing in the Mets. Over the past three months, it seems like every bounce, phone call, and moment has gone New York’s way.

Just over 30 hours ago, the Mets had no idea if they would even get to the postseason. But after a wild three-month stretch, New York went to Atlanta and won a back-and-forth matchup against the rival Braves to punch their playoff ticket.

And with very little sleep and a lot of adrenaline during Game 1 of the NL wild-card round, the Mets once again found a way to seize the opportunity when the lights were brightest in their 8-4 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers.

It was just a few days ago at American Family Field that the Mets dropped two of their last three games to the Brewers, forcing them to play Monday’s makeup doubleheader against the Braves. The Mets didn’t look like the same team on Tuesday.

“I’ll be honest with you, it’s hard to be tired when you’re playing playoff baseball,” third baseman Mark Vientos said afterward. “I had a lot of energy. I know we all did.”

After Milwaukee struck first, scoring two runs off starter Luis Severino in the first inning, the Mets answered back by scoring three in the second. And after the Brewers scored two more runs to take a 4-3 lead in the bottom of the fourth inning, New York chose the fifth inning to take control of the game.

The Mets’ half of the frame was kicked off by Tyrone Taylor’s one-out double, when Brewers left fielder Jackson Chourio took a bad route and let it go over his head. After Francisco Alvarez flied out and Francisco Lindor walked, the Mets offense sprang into action.

Second baseman José Iglesias drove a sharp line drive to first base and, in a running game for the bag, dove head first into the base to beat reliever Joel Payamps. And with all the attention on first base, Taylor scored while Payamps’ back was turned.

That sequence of events not only tied the game, making it 4-4, but also threw the Mets dugout into turmoil, as a team that had thrived on big moments all year created another when they needed it most.

“I think that was probably the biggest (turning) point in the game,” JD Martinez said after the win. “You saw the momentum change immediately afterwards. … Hats off to Iggy, because he runs hard after every ball he hits, and he’s always there. It’s always a bang-bang game in the beginning. And so I think that’s kind of what led us today.”

After Iglesias’ RBI single, the Mets scored four more times in the fifth, all with two outs. An infield single by Brandon Nimmo loaded the bases, then Vientos and Martinez followed with RBI singles to break the game open, giving New York a four-run lead that it would not relinquish.

One of the Mets’ best qualities all season was their ability to hit with two outs. This year, their offense was top-10 in the MLB in hits and average and bottom-10 in strikeouts in two-out situations. Being able to keep the line moving on Tuesday wasn’t just a lucky thing; it’s who these Mets are.

“We have a deep lineup,” manager Carlos Mendoza said after the match. “When we have guys rolling, not only do we have strikeout control – we have guys who can get on base, we have guys who can hit the ball out of the ballpark – but we also have guys who hit the ball can bring into play when we need. Use the entire field if necessary. That’s what happened today.”

What has made the Mets so dangerous lately is that they have a unique ability to ride the wave of emotions that occur during games. When they fall behind, they remain balanced, with an emphasis on fighting back. When they receive a big blow, they explode and let their emotions run wild. It’s their identity, and it’s the reason they are now about to transition to the NLDS.

“I think before the game we talked a little bit about emotions and trying to stay balanced,” Vientos said after the game. “JD said, ‘The guys who keep their emotions the most even are the ones who come out on top.'”

After winning Game 1 with their ace on the mound, the Mets enter Game 2 with Sean Manaea, who has been a revelation behind Severino in the rotation. And with the wind in their sails and all the momentum in their favor, taking it one day at a time isn’t just a cliché for the Mets, it’s all they know now.

“We are not satisfied,” Severino said. “We know the potential we have in that clubhouse, and we want to go there and we’re going to fight.”