Mets win in Game 4 perfectly represented the best and worst traits of the team

The strengths overcame the weaknesses of the Mets in their Game 4 win.

Oct 9, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) celebrates a grand slam with Mets outfielder Starling Marte (6) and Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez (4) in the sixth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies in game four of the NLDS for the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Oct 9, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) celebrates a grand slam with Mets outfielder Starling Marte (6) and Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez (4) in the sixth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies in game four of the NLDS for the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images / Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

The New York Mets are going to the NLCS for the first time since 2015. The unbelievable events that have unfolded throughout the 2024 season and into the playoffs is pinch-worthy. How is this team now 4 wins away from a trip to the World Series?

Their Game 4 win over the Philadelphia Phillies was apropos to how things went all year. This is not a clean team where everything went right. Game 4 included plenty of frustration, ultimately leading to one big moment when Francisco Lindor delivered.

The Mets win was representative of how things have gone for half the season

When Lindor was sidelined late in the year with a back injury, the easy joke was that he hurt it carrying the Mets. An MVP candidate up until that moment, his clutch home run to break open the scoring for the Mets was the difference on a night where the team couldn’t push through. Leaving the bases loaded in the first and second inning gave the Phillies a chance to overcome. They never did because another element that has gone so well for the Mets much of this season took charge.

It’ll be the Lindor home run we remember most from this game and with good reason. Don’t forget about the pitching performance by Jose Quintana. The one run he allowed was unearned. Two hits in five innings of work gave the Mets every opportunity to finally put a crooked number on the scoreboard.

Kudos go out to Reed Garrett for his job well done. Save your biggest high-five for David Peterson who delivered again in relief with 2.1 scoreless innings. Edwin Diaz can get a thumbs up for escaping danger in the ninth. His 2 walks helped the Phillies threaten and reminded us all of the team's biggest pet peeve all year: pitchers walking batters.

This was far from the best-played game by the Mets. The Mark Vientos error was fixin’ to spoil the night. Striking out 12 total times and leaving 10 runners on base, we didn’t see a complete offensive performance despite three doubles. 

In typical Mets fashion, all of the scoring came in one inning. Thankfully, after all of those missed opportunities with the bases juiced, it was the one guy they needed up at the plate most to get his shot. Right place. Right time. This has been a part of this ball club’s modus operandi for months.

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