3 Up, 3 Down: Alonso’s Heroics Power Mets To NLDS

Wow. Wow. Just freaking wow. The 2024 New York Mets are something special, and the magic shows no signs of ending anytime soon.

In what will go down as another instant classic in franchise history, the Mets produced some late-inning heroics to beat the Milwaukee Brewers in Game Three of the Wild Card Series on Thursday. As a result, New York advanced to the NLDS for the first time since 2015.

It was yet another thrilling and unforgettable chapter in an exhilarating rollercoaster of a year for this team. Could the Mets be this postseason’s team of destiny?

Before we switch our focus to the Philadelphia Phillies series, let’s recap a magical Wild Card series in the latest edition of 3 Up, 3 Down…

3 UP

MEETING THE MOMENT

We spoke on this site on Thursday about the importance of Pete Alonso stepping up and becoming a hero for this team in Game Three. Going into that do-or-die contest, the slugger was lacking a real statement game or a legacy-sealing moment on his Mets resume. Well, that changed pretty emphatically. With his team losing 2-0 heading into the top of the ninth, and with two runners on, Alonso finally had a chance to deliver in the clutch, and boy did he. The pure power hitter mashed a monster three-run home run to effectively win the game and send the Mets straight to the NLDS. After starting the game 0-for-3, Alonso finally came through in the biggest moment possible. And, make no doubt about it, this will live on in Mets lore forever, regardless if he stays or goes during the offseason.

MAGICAL RIDE

What the Mets are doing right now is beyond special. It feels like a 30 For 30 documentary in the making. No matter how many times this team is seemingly dead in the water, they find a way to rise up and shock the baseball world all over again. There was nothing but adversity to overcome in this series, and at every single turn the Mets rose to the occasion. They battled back from an early deficit to win Game One. They blew a late lead in Game Two and found themselves in a win-or-go home Game Three. Then, if that wasn’t enough drama, this team trailed through eight innings and were two outs away from going back to New York when Alonso stepped up to save the day and the season. Granted, a tougher test now awaits in the formidable Phillies, who themselves expect to go to the World Series. However, can you really bet against these resilient, magical Mets anymore?

MONEY ON THE MOUND

It is hard not to focus on Game Three when it comes to positives. Jose Quintana deserves a boatload of credit and gratitude for his role in yet another unforgettable night for the 2024 Mets. Following tough but solid enough outings from both Luis Severino and Sean Manaea in Games One and Two, respectively, Quintana entered Game 3 knowing he had to be near-perfect, and he was. The veteran tossed six scoreless innings, allowing just four hits with one walk while striking out five. It was exactly the kind of outing the Mets needed. Furthermore, Quintana’s excellence on the mound ensured his team still had a fighting chance going into the ninth. Like Alonso, Quintana delivered when he was needed the most.

3 DOWN

THE DOUBTERS

Mets doubters and haters probably aren’t too happy in the wake of what we witnessed on Thursday night. For those who keep writing off this team, and for those who simply just do not like the Mets, this must be agony right now. Just when you think the end is in sight, this team defies the odds and find ways to live to fight another day every single time. There appears to be an aura of invincibility engulfing this team right now. So, for those detractors, it might be best to accept the fact that these Mets might not be done making a lot of noise in October.

BULLPEN ADVENTURES

Now, I’ll preface this by saying the bullpen had some high moments in this series. Jose Buttó and Ryne Stanek were perfect in Game One, Stanek and Reed Garrett both tossed a scoreless inning in Game Two and Edwin Díaz and David Peterson combined to keep the Mets in Game Three, with the latter earning the save to send New York to the NLDS. However, on the flipside, the bullpen provided some heart attack-inducing moments, too. Phil Maton entered in relief on Wednesday and proceeded to give up two home runs to hand the game over to the Brewers. In Game Three, Buttó pitched in relief of Quintana, but immediately undid the starter’s sterling work by allowing back-to-back homers. Ultimately, it didn’t matter in the end. With that said, however, more implosions from the bullpen could prove costly against the Phillies in the NLDS.

WASTED OPPORTUNITIES 

As great as it is to celebrate the fact that the Mets are like Michael Myers in that they just refuse to die, dodging death at every turn just isn’t sustainable. At some point, you’re gonna get stabbed in the heart and succumb to those injuries. That’s just the harsh reality of life. On that note, the offense needs to step it up if this team is to avoid elimination in the NLDS. The lineup went 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position in Game Two, leaving nine runners on base. The offense also didn’t plate a run after the second inning in that contest. It was the opposite story in Game Three, however. Francisco Lindor was the only Mets batter who was actually hitting until the ninth inning. The lineup as a whole went 2-for-7 with RISP and was a combined 0-for-21 outside of Lindor at one point. Again, it ultimately didn’t matter in the end. But, going up against an elite team in the Phillies, this Mets offense can’t afford to go quiet for prolonged stretches during games. If they do, this magical postseason run will eventually die.

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