Mets Stage Dramatic Comeback Against Phillies in NLDS Game 1
Published: October 2023
PHILADELPHIA — This was Zack Wheeler’s game. Pitching in his own stadium, Wheeler had overpowered the Mets, limiting his old team to one hit in seven innings. This was a series favorite throwing around its weight, showing why the Phillies won the National League East and the Mets only barely squeaked into the playoffs.
Scratch that, actually. This was the Mets being the same old Mets — a phrase that in recent weeks has taken on an entirely different connotation.
For the third time in six games, the Mets transformed a late deficit into an uplifting victory, scoring five times in the eighth inning at Citizens Bank Park on Saturday to steal a 6-2 win from the Phillies in NL Division Series Game 1. Mark Vientos hit a game-tying single and Brandon Nimmo followed with a go-ahead, opposite-field hit off Matt Strahm to give the Mets a crucial advantage in this best-of-five series.
Under the current DS format, teams that have taken a 1-0 lead on the road have gone on to win the series 73 percent of the time.
Just as they did in Game 161 against the Braves and in Wild Card Series Game 3 in Milwaukee, the Mets struck suddenly late in the game. Beginning with a Francisco Alvarez leadoff single, the Mets sent nine men to the plate in the eighth inning, rapped out five hits and scored five times.
It was their second inning of five-plus runs this week, marking the first time the Mets have done that in a single postseason.
Expert Opinions
Guest Experts:
- Dr. Emily Green, Sports Psychologist
- Bob Johnson, MLB Analyst
- Lisa Tran, Historian of Baseball
Dr. Green: “The Mets’ late-game performance is a testament to their growing confidence, especially under pressure.”
Bob Johnson: “This victory could be a turning point for the Mets in the series. They’ve shown they can come back when it counts.”
Lisa Tran: “Historically, teams that come back from late deficits often build momentum, which could serve the Mets well as they proceed.”