Resilient Mets remind everyone why they’re in the NLCS by beating Dodgers: ‘That’s just who we are’
NEW YORK – Friday evening at Citi Field began with The Temptations singing their 1965 hit single “My Girl.” of francisco lindor Walk-up song. Lindor smiled and sang the lyrics while warming up on the field. pete alonsoBefore what was to be his final home game as a Met, he joined in, too, and very soon the crowd – clearly tense before the elimination game – calmed down a bit. Looking at the jubilant scene in Queens, it was hard to say mets Were backed in one corner.
If they were looking loose and carefree mere minutes before the southpaw david peterson Thrown the first pitch of the game, which was because that was how they got to Citi Field before Game 5 of the National League Championship Series. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza walked into the hitters’ meeting and everyone was smiling. Hours before their most important game of the year – yes, another one of those – New York’s jubilant attitude foreshadowed the pain they would deliver. dodgers,
“This is who we are,” Mendoza said. “There is no tomorrow for us. But we have been in this situation before. So, there is nothing new.”
After Pietersen got trapped mookie bets And shohei ohtani At second and third base in the first inning – taking the crowd’s energy from restlessness to optimism – Alonso followed that with a three-run blast. jack flaherty At the bottom of the frame. The Polar Bears’ fourth home run of October was a harbinger of the offensive explosion to come. The Mets collected 14 hits in a 12–6 victory over the Dodgers in Game 5, the second-most in postseason franchise history.
The attack was a result of sticking to the plan, taking advantage of Flaherty’s drop in velocity and refusing to chase outside the zone. The Mets tagged Flaherty for eight runs in just three innings. In addition to Alonso’s long ball, he played leadoff walks, enjoyed timely hitting, and played the short ball to overwhelm the Los Angeles pitching staff. starling marte Lindor went 4-for-5 with three RBIs, collecting a stand-up RBI triple, jesse winker Reached base in four of his five plate appearances and the catcher francisco alvarez Also went 3-for-4. In addition to all the runs scored, the Mets did not strike out once.
It was kind of an all-out effort to remind the Mets of their ceiling.
“We understood the quality of hitters we had, the intensity we needed in every inning,” Lindor said. “And we had to give it everything we had and that’s what we did.”
As the Dodgers threatened to end this improbable run, the Mets relied on the experience and results that had brought them to this point. Their first baseman, during the last few winning weeks, has been right in the middle of it. Four of Alonso’s five career postseason homers have given the Mets a lead – including three in the last two weeks. Not bad for one of baseball’s most powerful hitters, who is just weeks away from entering free agency.
As Mookie Betts said Wednesday, the Mets didn’t make one of the final four teams because of luck. They didn’t get to this point because of a McDonald’s mascot or a hit Latin pop song. On Friday, the Mets reminded everyone why they are just two wins away from advancing to the World Series: When they play their best, they can beat anyone.
“We will be ready. We like the opportunity,” said Alonso. “That’s what we want to continue to play for. Today it was just, figure it out, get to Game 6. And we have that opportunity, and it’s going to be the same mentality: figure it out, get to Game 7.” That’s what it is. And we’re really excited about the opportunity that’s coming.”
In a season full of surprises, the Mets have a chance to pull off their biggest upset yet. He forced his way back to Los Angeles for Game 6, which will be Sunday night at Chavez Ravine, by focusing only on those 27 outs rather than being overwhelmed by the bigger picture. All baseball teams like to say that they don’t think too far ahead, and instead like to take things day by day, but the Mendoza Mets have adapted to that mentality better than most teams this season. Has been implemented.
The Mets are attempting to become the ninth team in LCS history (AL or NL) to bounce back from a 3-1 hole. For motivation, they’ll keep reminding themselves that they’re 2-0 in elimination games this year.
“We have been having success focusing on this process for 4-5 months, and now is not the time to change it,” Brandon Nimmo Said. “We’re just trying to beat down that dam until it finally breaks, and it broke tonight.”
On The Temptations’ official website, the Motown veterans present their story as “an epic journey of courage, struggle, triumph, setbacks and, ultimately, international superstardom.”
Sounds like 2024 Mets.
Deesha Thosar MLB reporter for Fox Sports. He previously covered the Mets as a beat reporter for the New York Daily News. The daughter of Indian immigrants, Disha grew up on Long Island and now lives in Queens. Follow him on Twitter @DeeshaThosar,
(Want the best stories delivered straight to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account to receive personalized newsletters daily Follow leagues, teams and players,
Get more from Major League Baseball Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more