The Mets have been here before.
It was just under a year ago that the Mets went into Atlanta the day after the regular season ended, needing a victory to make the postseason. Mets fans know what happened that day: Francisco Lindor powered the Amazin's to a win in the first game of their doubleheader with the Braves, en route to a playoff run that culminated in an NLCS berth.
This year was supposed to be different. They weren't supposed to need Game 162 to determine their playoff fate. But here they are, in Miami, hoping they can book a ticket to Los Angeles for a date with the Dodgers in the Wild Card round. Although the Mets don't have control of their playoff destiny anymore, many in the locker room are upbeat after their crucial 5-0 win over the Marlins on Saturday.
"You feel good, obviously not ideal. We put ourselves in that position," Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said of the feeling after the win. "You got to 162 with a chance to clinch a playoff spot. Enjoy today and get ready for tomorrow."
After a deflating 6-2 loss to the Marlins on Friday, the Mets bounced back in a big way, getting six strong innings from Clay Holmes while Pete Alonso provided the offense. The slugger drove in the game's first run in the first inning and tacked on with a solo shot in the third, and the Mets didn't look back.
"Just felt good today, felt like I had good at-bats all day," Alonso said of his performance. "Hopefully, I carry this feeling into tomorrow. It's our last day and want to be at my best."
Alonso was donning eye black on Saturday, similar to what Lindor does every game. The right-hander told SNY's Steve Gelbs after the game that he took something from his teammates to the field with him.
"I'm wearing Juan Soto's socks, I put on Francisco Lindor's eye black, and then I used Brandon Nimmo's lotion," he said. "All my teammates, really thankful for the good vibes."
Alonso spoke to the media after Friday's loss and was eerily calm and chipper, considering the opportunity his team had lost. Now they have to hope the Reds lose a game in the final two days. Of course, they'll need a win on Sunday and hope to get a similar performance from Sean Manaea as they got from Holmes. But as Alonso put it, "just get it done, no matter how."
That silent confidence Alonso exudes has been present with this team all season. Through the ups and downs, the veterans of this team understand what it takes to navigate a 162-game season, and it's starting to show in these final days. They handled business on Saturday, look to do the same on Sunday, and see where the chips lie after that.
Many of this year's Mets, Alonso included, were on that 2024 squad that clinched a postseason spot on the final day. Perhaps that's why they seem ready to do it again this year. Mendoza believes the team can lean on that experience and is ready to go to battle.
"I saw it last night after the game when some of the guys were down, understandable," Mendoza said. "You saw those guys come in today. I’ve been saying it, there’s a sense of urgency. Obviously, we haven’t translated that onto the field. Here we are, 162, embrace it. Ready to go."
"Wouldn’t have it any other way," Alonso said of the season coming down to the final day. "This is exciting baseball. Everyone’s excited for the challenge tomorrow. We're excited to get to the yard tomorrow."
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