ATLANTA (AP) — In a dramatic doubleheader on Monday, the Atlanta Braves secured the final playoff spot in the National League with a solid 3-0 victory over the New York Mets after a thrilling 8-7 loss in the earlier game. The Mets already clinched their place in the postseason after a remarkable comeback win in the opener, overcoming deficits of 3-0 and 7-6 to triumph thanks to Francisco Lindor’s crucial two-run homer.
This doubleheader was critical, as three teams were vying for the last two playoff positions. The Braves faced the Mets in a tightly scheduled series just before the regular season wrapped up and the Wild Card Series commenced.
Watching from the sidelines were the Arizona Diamondbacks, the defending NL champions, who were ultimately eliminated as they needed assistance from the Braves or Mets to secure their own postseason chance. Their hopes relied on one of these teams achieving a sweep, leaning toward the Mets after New York’s exhilarating win in the first game.
In the second game, Grant Holmes took the mound for the Braves after ace Chris Sale was sidelined due to back spasms. Holmes delivered a stellar performance, pitching four scoreless innings. A two-run single by Marcell Ozuna in the seventh inning allowed the Braves to extend their lead, ultimately securing their postseason berth.
The atmosphere in the clubhouses at Truist Park was electric, as both teams celebrated their achievements with champagne. The Mets, having already clinched a playoff spot, added left-hander Joey Lucchesi to their roster, who had spent much of the season in Triple-A. Lucchesi, who had previously struggled in the big leagues, turned in a strong performance against the Braves, allowing only three hits in his six-inning outing before taking the loss.
Raisel Iglesias, the Braves’ closer, aimed to preserve the win and earned his 34th save. The Mets celebrated Lindor’s 33rd homer that contributed to their earlier comeback, highlighted by a six-run eighth inning that turned the tide against Atlanta.
In that pivotal eighth inning of Game 1, the Mets, trailing 3-0, scored six runs, capped by Brandon Nimmo’s two-run homer. The Braves retaliated quickly, scoring four runs in the bottom of the inning to take a brief lead at 7-6. However, the Mets weren’t done yet; Starling Marte’s single set the stage for Lindor’s decisive home run that sealed the win.
“I got the pitch that I wanted,” Lindor recounted of his home run. “I just kept saying, ‘Thank you Jesus.’ We’re one step closer, and we have to finish this.”
Amid all the excitement, the Braves nearly tied the game in the ninth with potential runners on base, but Díaz struck out Ramón Laureano and secured the game by retiring Travis d’Arnaud, allowing the Mets to celebrate their 11th postseason berth in franchise history and their first since 2022.
Atlanta’s Ozzie Albies showed impressive form, hitting two home runs during the doubleheader, including a two-run shot in the third inning and a bases-clearing double in the eighth. Despite a slow start against rookie Spencer Schwellenbach, the Mets offense exploded in the later innings, scoring eight runs after laboring through the first seven.
SALE’S STATUS
The Braves had been cautious with Chris Sale’s recovery, hoping to utilize him in a pivotal elimination game. Unfortunately, the back spasms he sustained during a throwing session kept him from pitching, although GM Alex Anthopoulos emphasized that it was a day-to-day situation rather than an injury requiring a stint on the injured list.
UP NEXT
The Mets will travel back to Milwaukee for the best-of-three Wild Card Series that begins on Tuesday, while the Braves will head to San Diego for their own Wild Card Series starting Tuesday as well.
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