In what can only be described as a real-life Cinderella story in the MLB, the New York Mets have made it into the National League Championship Series, led by shortstop Francisco Lindor. After years of missing out on playoffs due to disappointing performances during the season, New York fans were awakened by the team’s 4-1 victory over the dominant Philadelphia Phillies on the evening of Tuesday, October 9. Lindor’s go-ahead grand-slam in the bottom of the sixth inning; the swing of a lifetime that launched the Mets to a decisive victory in their four-game series against the Phillies.
The Mets will now face off against the Los Angeles Dodgers led by Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts in a best of seven series. The Mets have the opportunity to make history once again if they can hold their own against the Dodgers to clinch their third ever World Series title. The New York team has not appeared in the World Series since they lost to the Kansas City Royals in 2015, and their last world championship occurred in 1986 against the Boston Red Sox.
“It’s really hard to put into words what we’ve gone through behind closed doors,” outfielder Brandon Nimmo said. “And so for us to be able to experience this together, it’s very emotional. We are trying to enjoy every second of this.”
Fans are ecstatic about the Mets’ opportunity to close out the season successfully this year. The team is being led by the cornerstones of the franchise: shortstop Fransico Lindor, first baseman Pete Alonso and break-out player Jose Iglesias. The Mets have been absolutely electric during the postseason, coming out on top against the Milwaukee Brewers in a 2-1 win and scoring a 3-1 triumph over the Phillies. Many are hopeful for a triumph over the Dodgers, sending the Mets on the path of playoff domination and stoking aspirations of a World Series championship.
Left-handed Mets pitcher Jose Quintana had himself a field day during game 4 of the Phillies series, throwing for an impressive five plus innings, only allowing two hits and striking out six batters in 90 pitches. Quintana’s break-out performance continues his three-game streak of postseason starts without giving up an earned run.
The Phillies’ superstar first baseman Bryce Harper scored the team’s only run with a double during the fourth inning of game 4, his only hit in a 1-for-3 performance against pitcher Quintana.
After persevering through two tough series against the MLB’s top teams, fans of the New York Mets are now riding high on their team to bring home a title after a heart-stopping 38 year drought. The opportunity could hit right now for a World Series title, but in this fierce race for the championship, anything could happen.
