MLB Playoffs 2024: With momentum and a little magic, the Mets roll to a wild card victory in Game 1 against the Brewers

MILWAUKEE — You may not believe in magic, but it might be time to believe in the Mets. Over the last three months, it seemed like every boost, every call, and every moment benefited New York.

A little over 30 hours ago, the Mets had no idea whether they would be heading to the postseason. But after a tumultuous three-month stretch, New York went to Atlanta and won a back-and-forth game against the rival Braves to punch its playoff ticket.

And with very little sleep and a lot of adrenaline heading into Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Round, the Mets once again found a way to rise to the occasion as the lights were brightest in their 8-4 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers.

Just a few days ago, the Mets lost two of their last three games against the Brewers at American Family Field, forcing them to play Monday's makeup doubleheader against the Braves. On Tuesday, the Mets didn't look like the same team.

“I'll be honest with you: It's hard to be tired when you're playing playoff baseball,” third baseman Mark Vientos said afterward. “I had lots of energy. I know we all did.”

After Milwaukee struck first, scoring two runs in the first inning against starter Luis Severino, the Mets responded with three runs in the second inning. And after the Brewers scored two more runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to take a 4-3 lead, New York chose the fifth inning to take control of the game.

The Mets' half of the pitch was kicked off by Tyrone Taylor's one-out double, in which Brewers left fielder Jackson Chourio took a poor route and sent the ball flying over his head. Then, after Francisco Alvarez flied out and Francisco Lindor drew a walk, the Mets offense came into play.

Second baseman José Iglesias drilled a sharp line drive to first base and dove headfirst into the base in a foot race to the bag to beat reliever Joel Payamps. And with all the attention at first base, Taylor scored while Payamps had his back turned.

This sequence of events not only tied the game at 4-4, but it also sent the Mets' dugout into a frenzy as a team that thrived on big moments all year managed another moment when it came to it on most needed.

“I think that was probably the biggest (turning) point in the game,” JD Martinez said after the win. “You could see the dynamic change right after that. … Hats off to Iggy because he runs hard after every ball he hits and is always there. At the beginning it's always a game of bang-bang. And that’s why I think that’s what brought us today.”

After Iglesias' buzzer-beating RBI single, the Mets scored four more times in the fifth, all with two outs. An infield single by Brandon Nimmo loaded the bases, and then Vientos and Martinez followed with RBI singles to open the game and give New York a four-run lead it wouldn't relinquish.

One of the Mets' best attributes all season was their ability to hit with two outs. This year, their offense ranked in the top 10 in MLB in hits and average and in the top 10 in strikeouts in two-out situations. Keeping the line moving on Tuesday wasn't just a happy accident; It's about who these Mets are.

“We have a strong lineup,” said coach Carlos Mendoza after the game. “When we have guys who are rolling, not only do we control the strikeout — we have guys who can get on base, we have guys who can hit the ball out of the ballpark — but we also have guys who can put the ball in We can play when we need to. Use the entire field if necessary. This happened today.”

What has made the Mets so dangerous lately is their unique ability to ride the wave of emotions that arise as games progress. When they run after, they stay balanced and focus on fighting back. When they have a big success, they allow themselves to explode and let their emotions out. It is their identity and the reason why they are now facing the transition to the NLDS.

“I think before the game we talked about emotions and trying to stay balanced,” Vientos said after the game. “JD said, 'The guys who keep their emotions most balanced will come out on top.'”

After winning Game 1 with their ace on the mound, the Mets enter Game 2 with Sean Manaea, who has been a revelation in the rotation behind Severino. And with the wind in their sails and all the momentum in their favor, taking it one day at a time isn't just a cliché for the Mets, it's all they know right now.

“We are not satisfied,” Severino said. “We know the potential we have in this clubhouse and we want to go there and fight.”