After watching the first part of Game 4 of the National League Division Series, I thought the Mets were headed to Philadelphia for the deciding Game 5. I was wrong.
The Mets had twice stranded men with the bases loaded and couldn’t do much against Philadelphia Phillies starter Ranger Suarez. Then “Grimace Magic” appeared in the sixth. Francisco Lindor hit a grand slam off Phillies closer Carlos Estevez, giving the Mets a 4-1 victory and a berth in the National League Championship Series against the Dodgers or Padres.
Undoubtedly, the better team won the series, and that’s why the Mets will be playing in the NLCS.
Everything has gone their way in the postseason, which is a remarkable thing to say. That’s because Mets fans are used to seeing calamity around every corner for the beleaguered franchise they love. But this year, player after player is making memorable moments, and now the ultimate prize seems unbelievably possible.
On Wednesday, Lindor was another Mets player showing the way with an unexpected and massive hit. The Mets shortstop hadn’t been much of a factor in this series, but he picked a great time to put the boom on the Phillies with one swing of the bat. Pete Alonso did the same in the second inning on Tuesday afternoon to give the Mets a 1-0 lead, and he came through big time in Game 3 of the NL Wild Card series with a homer off Brewers closer Devin Williams. Mark Vientos did his part in Game 1 of the NL Wild Card series when he hit a tiebreaking, two-run single.
When the Mets continue to create moments like that, you can chalk it up to know-how rather than luck–just like what happened for the dynastic Yankees in the 1990s. Moreover, these Mets have been grinding out victories since June and (in the end) had to earn a playoff spot by coming from behind twice on the last day of the regular season against the nemesis Braves.
I’ve always said that if the Mets made the playoffs, they would have the pitching and hitting to win games and series. The Brewers found that out, and now the Phillies have, too. Opportunities like that don’t come often unless you are the Yankees and Dodgers, and if the Mets win it all, this team will be as beloved as the 1986 team. I, for one, would welcome that. I’m tired of hearing about the ’86 team and would love a new set of memories. One reason is that the ’24 Mets have so many likable players.
Our magic ride continues for at least another week. But fans want more, and they should. It has been 38 years, and there’s an opportunity–here and now–to win a championship. Only eight more wins and all of this will be history … New York Mets, World Champions.
