Arizona Diamondbacks fans are now temporarily New York Mets fans.
The Mets clinched a postseason spot by winning a blockbuster first game of Monday’s doubleheader against the Atlanta 8-7, and now the Diamondbacks need a Mets sweep to clinch the final NL Wild Card spot.
A Mets win in the second leg would send the D-backs to Milwaukee to kick off the postseason.
Francisco Lindor – New York Mets (33)
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The Braves led 3-0 after seven shutout frames from Spencer Schwellenbach, but the Mets rallied to take the lead with six runs in the eighth inning. Jose Iglesias tied the game with a single to right, and Brandon Nimmo hit a two-run shot off Braves closer Raisel Iglesias.
Atlanta responded with four runs in the bottom half, three after what looked like an inning-ending diving play by Mets first baseman Pete Alonso. New York closer Edwin Diaz failed to cover first base, and Ozzie Albies took advantage with a bases-clearing, go-ahead double.
But the Mets were not done, as MVP candidate Francisco Lindor blasted the game-winning, two-run homer in the ninth inning. Diaz locked it down to cap a wild ballgame.
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Even with the clinch, the Mets will not be able to pop champagne bottles until the doubleheader is over, but the win gives them leeway to manage their team’s workload in Game 2.
Chris Sale scratched for Game 2
NL Cy Young favorite Chris Sale (2.38 ERA) was set to start Game 2 for the Braves with their season on the line, but he was scratched due to back spasms. Grant Holmes (3.78 ERA) will start for Atlanta.
The Mets would have run out right-hander Luis Severino if needed. Instead, left-hander Joey Lucchesi will get the ball. Lucchesi has made one appearance in the major leagues this season.
The second game will begin approximately 40-45 minutes after the end of the first on ESPN2.
Why is there a Mets-Braves doubleheader?
Two games of a critical Mets-Braves series last week were postponed due to weather caused by Hurricane Helene, and this weekend’s results created a postseason-like environment for the doubleheader.
Arizona lost two of three games against the San Diego Padres to end the regular season, thus putting its fate in the hands of either NL East competitor to knock out the other.
The D-backs entered Monday in a tough spot without having either tiebreaker. The Braves won five of seven games against the D-backs, twice in extra innings with another win after trailing Arizona 6-0. The Mets won four of seven against the Diamondbacks with three one-run victories.
The Wild Card Series begin Tuesday with the Brewers hosting the third Wild Card, while the Padres will face the second Wild Card.
Updated NL Wild Card standings
1. San Diego Padres: 93-69*
2. New York Mets: 89-72*
3. Arizona Diamondbacks: 89-73
4. Atlanta Braves: 88-73
*Clinched