How can you not be romantic about baseball?
The New York Mets and Atlanta Braves faced off in a double-header with one of the more unique circumstances on the final day of the MLB regular season.
The winner of the first leg of the doubleheader was set to clinch a postseason berth. However, if the two teams split the double-header they will both qualify for the playoffs. In this case, the Braves would get the 5th seed and play the Padres while the Mets would get the 6th seed and face the Brewers. If either team sweeps the double-header, that team would secure the 5th seed, the Diamondbacks would get the 6th seed, and the losing team would miss the playoff completely.
Mets Win First Leg of Doubleheader
It was a thrilling game that lived up to the hype of what was at stake.
Atlanta looked to have the inside track on securing their playoff faith after starting pitcher Spence Schwellenback (21.35 FPTS) pitched seven innings allowing just one earned run. The Braves took a 3-0 lead into the 7th inning until things began to change.
New York put six runs on the board in the top of the 8th inning, chasing Schwellenback after his first batter of the inning. The Mets brought in closer Edwin Diaz (5.35 FPTS) for a five-out save when things got messy again.
Atlanta answered with four runs in the bottom of the 8th to take back the lead 7-6. Ozzie Albies (31.00 FPTS) was at the heart of the production finishing the game with two hits, one home run, and five RBIs.
But the Mets were not done and in the top of the ninth answered to take back the lead 8-7. This occurred on a two-run home run by Francisco Lindor (23.00 FPTS) in the top of the ninth. Diaz remained in the game for the bottom of the ninth and had a smoother inning to officially cement the Mets’ postseason faith.
Mets Playoff Outlook
The Mets’ last playoff appearance was in 2022 where they lost in the Wild Card after winning 101 games in the regular season. This is a much more miraculous path to the playoffs and New York looked like a team dead in the water just a few months ago.
Entering the season New York held +190 odds of making the postseason with this number reaching +900 odds on DraftKings Sportsbook on June 3rd. They had dropped to 11 games below .500 leading to the notable odds movement. New York finished the season on a 67-39 tear in which they outscored opponents 541-430. They now have officially punched their ticket to the playoffs and will look to build off this momentum.
It will not be until after the second leg of the doubleheader that the playoff matchups are officially set.
But following the victory, New York holds +2000 odds of winning the World Series and +950 odds of winning the National League.
Mets vs Braves Game 2 Outlook
While the Mets have secured their playoff fate, Atlanta still has everything to play for in the second leg of the doubleheader. The Braves have seemingly held likely Cy Young Winner Chris Sale as their trump card to give their team the best chance of winning. The expectation was for Sale to pitch the second game if Atlanta was to lose the opener.
But shortly following the loss, Sale was a late scratch due to back spasms. Instead, Grant Holmes will start the matchup with the Braves’ playoff hopes hanging on his shoulder.
Atlanta are -298 favorites in Game 2 with Holmes on the mound. The -1.5 run line is favored at -162 odds with the over-under sitting at 8.5 on DraftKings Sportsbook. The Mets are +240 underdogs on the moneyline.
While their individual goals are accomplished, don’t rule out New York from trying to play spoiler against their NL East rivals.
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