The Mets are headed to the postseason after Francisco Lindor’s two-run homer in the ninth set off a wild back-and-forth swing over the final two innings, giving New York an 8-7 win over the Atlanta Braves in the opener of a makeup doubleheader before the playoffs got underway.
Atlanta would also earn a wild card berth by winning the second game, eliminating Arizona. If the Mets sweep, the Braves would be eliminated.
The game was an instant classic. The Braves, who have thwarted the Mets time and time again over the years, led 3-0 heading into eighth place behind rookie starter Spencer Schwellenbach. At the time, ESPN Stats & Info gave the Braves a 94.1% chance of winning. But that was long forgotten by the end of this thriller.
New York went ahead 6-3 with a six-run eight, capped by Brandon Nimmo’s two-run home run, and ESPN gave the Mets a 91.3% chance of victory. But the Braves took the lead again with four runs in the second half, with Ozzie Albies hitting a bases-loaded double with two outs for a 7-6 lead after a collapse by Mets closer Edwin Diaz.
The Mets weren’t done yet. Starling Marte singled with one out off Pierce Johnson and Lindor, the heart and soul of the Mets team, delivered his 33rd homer, a drive into the Braves bullpen in right-center. Diaz then came back and closed out the match.
The victory capped a regular season for the Mets in which they looked dead and buried after the opening weeks before becoming the form team in baseball.