Premonitions for October's baseball playoffs have begun a day early.
The New York Mets and Atlanta Braves opened a thrilling doubleheader to determine who will become the National League wild card team.
After the scoreboard fluctuated in the final stages, the Mets clinched their ticket to the postseason with an 8-7 victory.
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Francisco Lindor of the New York Mets prepares to take a swing during the bottom of the third inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves on Monday, September 30, 2024 in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)
Now, before we get into the wild ending, the Braves still have a chance to make the playoffs as the last wild-card team if they win the second game of this doubleheader.
However, if the Mets win, the Arizona Diamondbacks will take the final spot. They knew they needed a sweep from one of their National League East rivals heading into Monday, so they're certainly rooting for New York.
As with many previous games in this fierce rivalry, drama ensued late in the game when all hope seemed lost for the Mets. But like any playoff game, it's not really over until the 27th out.
Mets vs. Braves doubleheader dramatically determines final National League wild card team
New York struggled with Braves' rookie starting pitcher Spencer Schwellenbach throughout the game, with Tyler Megill hitting a two-run homer to Ozzie Abbies in the bottom of the third inning and a solo shot to Ramon Laureano in the sixth inning. After being hit, Atlanta held on for three points. -0 lead heading into the top of the 8th inning.
Braves manager Brian Snitker removed Schwellenbach in the eighth inning, something he hadn't done all year for his team, which started a Mets rally that ended this game. I got caught up in the frenzy.
Tyron Taylor opened the inning with a double to center field, then Francisco Alvarez hit a double of his own down the left field line, and the Mets finally got going.
Starling Marte then pinch-hit for Harrison Bader, advancing Alvarez to third base with a single and putting runners on the corners with no outs. Lindor hit reliever Raisel Iglesias with one shot to cut the lead to 3-2 before hitting the winning hit in the top of the ninth inning.
Jose Iglesias took the mound for New York and had a chance to tie the game. He drove the ball down the right-field line, putting Marte to the plate and advancing Lindor to third base with no outs. Mark Vientos then hit a sacrifice fly to center field, and Michael Harris' throw sailed wide, allowing Lindor to score and take the lead.
Ozzie Albies of the Atlanta Braves prepares to play third base after hitting a two-run home run in the third inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets on Monday, September 30, 2024 in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)
But the Mets didn't end things there. With the Braves home crowd completely despondent, Brandon Nimmo hit a fastball deep into the right field seats to make it 6-3.
However, that didn't last long after Atlanta finally got out of the inning.
The Mets sent Phil Mayton to the mound in the bottom of the eighth inning, but things didn't go the way the visitors' dugout had hoped. Mayton got a hit on the first batter he faced, but Eli White's bat appeared to cross home plate when the ball hit him, which should have been called a strike.
Either way, he went to first base and former Mets catcher Travis d'Arnaud hit a single to center field, allowing White to advance to third base. As a result, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza was forced to insert closer Edwin Diaz into the game.
Diaz was going to get Gio Urshela to ground out, but with two outs and second and third base, the crafty right-handed pitcher did one of the things pitchers are supposed to do when a ground ball is sent to first base: throw the bag. I didn't cover it.
Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies throws to first baseman Jose Iglesias of the New York Mets during the sixth inning of a baseball game in Atlanta, Monday, September 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)
Left-handed hitter Jared Kelenic, the Mets' former top prospect who was traded to the Seattle Mariners a few years ago to acquire Diaz, hit a chopper to first base that was slid in and caught by Pete Alonso. However, with Diaz not in coverage, Alonso did not send the ball to first base and scored one run to make it 6-4.
So Diaz had to stay there to pitch, and when Abbies, who had already hit a two-run homer, stepped up to the plate, he walked Harris and loaded the bases.
With the count 3-1, Diaz had to throw a fastball up the middle to avoid giving up a walk, but Albies hit a bases-loaded double to regain the lead, 7-6.
Momentum swung like a pendulum as Mets fans entered the top of the ninth inning not knowing how to feel. But Lindor changed his mind after Marte got on base, waiting for Pierce Johnson's curveball at the bottom of the zone and launching it into the right-center bullpen.
The Mets won the game in the bottom of the 9th inning with Diaz quickly returning for the save and d'Arnaud grounding out to Lindor.
Francisco Lindor of the New York Mets prepares to take a swing during the bottom of the third inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves on Monday, September 30, 2024 in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)
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The Braves will fight for a playoff berth in Game 2, the Diamondbacks will hope the Mets get a win for themselves, but what happens here will determine who New York will face in the Wild Card Series. You'll understand.
If they win, the Mets will travel west to face the San Diego Padres. If they lose, they will return to Milwaukee, where they spent last weekend, to face the Brewers.
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