File photo/TheNYExtra.com File Photo /TheNYExtra.com
The Mets came to Philly fresh off a ninth inning offensive explosion in Toronto and kept that vibe going scoring 6 runs in the fifth inning that put this game away after Aaron Nola had looked untouchable through four frames not allowing a hit.
The Mets got home runs from both Francisco Alvarez and Brandon Nimmo in that fifth inning and later Harrison Bader and Pete Alonso went yard to put an exclamation point on this night in Citizens Bank Park. These offensive explosions are becoming more commonplace for this team that now owns an 81-66 record and remains one game ahead of the Braves in that third and final wild card playoff spot.
And the Met starting pitching continued to excel getting 7 shutout innings from Jose Quintana who has really rounded into shape the past few weeks becoming a very reliable southpaw in this rotation. David Peterson, Sean Manea, Luis Severino and Quintana have become a very formidable quartet that honestly keeps the team in the game before the lineup starts to pound the opposition.
Playoff teams must have a collection of players in all corners of the field and the Mets bring that to the table every night. A deep lineup that is very hard to navigate through coupled with starting pitching that put zeros on the board because of a defense that keeps making eye-popping defensive plays.
That is how you get an invite to baseball’s post-season party and at 81-66 if this team goes 9-6 in their last 15 they would have 90 wins and I believe that win total would simply clinch a playoff berth. And the way this team is playing, I would not want to face them as they may very well be the toughest playoff opponent in the league. Time will tell on that but this year is beginning to look like a magical year for an organization that has carved out a few of them. I firmly believe OMG has become the baseball phrase that this year mirrors that 1973 slogan—You Gotta Believe.
