Six Up: Mets Trounce Phillies To Reach NLCS
The magical carpet ride that is the 2024 New York Mets just continues to amaze.
Against all odds, these remarkable Mets beat the Philadelphia Phillies in four games to advance to the National League Championship Series for the first time since 2015.
And, at this point, can you really bet against this team taking down either the Los Angeles Dodgers or the San Diego Padres and going all the way to the World Series? They just doesn’t know when to quit, and they have all the juice right now.
And, on that note, let’s dive into a very special edition of Six Up. Yes, that’s right, we’re doing things a little bit differently today. Because, after all, how can there be any negatives after what the Mets have just done?
Let’s get on with the show…
Photo Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
SIX UP
AGAINST ALL ODDS
Not only is the above heading an all-time classic song from Phil Collins, but it should also be the official mantra of the 2024 Mets. Because, no matter the situation, no matter the opponent, no matter the amount of adversity thrown their way, this team finds a way to deliver time and time again. Many, myself included, felt their run would come to an abrupt end against the Phillies. And yet, the Mets made what was supposed to be a World Series contender look anything but. In fact, it is New York that more resembles a team that could go on and win it all. Granted, the Mets will have to overcome greater odds in order to be crowned kings of baseball. But, at this point, they will no doubt relish that challenge.
MVP! MVP! MVP!
Just where would the Mets be without Francisco Lindor? We’ve uttered that very same sentence a bunch this year, but it feels even more relevant after Wednesday. In a Game Four that was light on offense, Lindor came up with the monster hit to end all monster hits. His sixth-inning grand slam put the Mets on top for good, booking their ticket to the NLCS in the process. Lindor has consistently come through in the clutch for his team this year, but his Game Four heroics may well end up being the defining moment of a truly stellar year.
GETTING HOT
Pete Alonso has stepped up when it has really mattered the most. Following his heroics in the Wild Card series, Alonso enjoyed an incredibly productive series against Philadelphia. He went 4-for-13 with two homers, one double, four walks, three RBIs and three runs scored. Alonso is now hitting .273/.433/.727 in October. The Mets were always going to need Alonso to take over games if they were going to make a deep run, and that is exactly what is happening so far.
Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
RISING STAR
ESPN should commission a 30 For 30 on Mark Vientos‘ meteoric rise in 2024. It really is a stunning story, especially when you consider that his Mets future was in doubt back in March. Yet, fast forward to the present day, and the young slugger is playing a major role in an unlikely postseason charge. Vientos is currently riding a four-game multi-hit streak, including nine hits and five RBIs against the Phillies. Furthermore, Vientos’ RBI double in the eighth inning of Game One helped change the entire tenor of the series. All in all, Vientos has entered rarified air as it pertains to his October exploits for this team.
PITCHING MASTERCLASS
The Mets starting rotation deserves a collective Cy Young Award, especially for what they accomplished in this series. All four starters delivered and then some, helping to shutdown a dangerous Phillies lineup. Kodai Senga was impressive in his short outing in Game One despite allowing a leadoff home run. Luis Severino was excellent for the most part in Game Two, but did allow back-to-back homers. Sean Manaea, who is quickly proving he is an ace for this team, delivered an absolutely breathtaking start in Game Three with just one run allowed in seven-plus innings. Then, in the decisive Game Four, Jose Quintana produced his best and most important start of the year to help send the Mets to the NLCS. Overall, the starting pitching was beyond extraordinary in this series, and the Mets have a legit shot at doing something really special this October because of the rotation.
MUCH-NEEDED RELIEF
Speaking of pitching, let’s give the bullpen their flowers. Yes, there were some scary moments in this series when it comes to the Mets’ relievers. But, overall, they delivered when they really had to. David Peterson hurled three scoreless innings in long relief in Game One. Reed Garrett followed by tossing two scoreless innings to help get the job done. Both Garrett and Peterson were perfect in Game Four, before Edwin Díaz atoned for some earlier sins by earning the save and sending Mets fans into a frenzy. Yes, this bullpen is gassed. Yes, this group of relievers are running on fumes. Yet, despite everything, they just keep finding a way to get the job done just like the entire team has themselves.
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