MLB Playoffs: The Mets won 2 other times outside of Milwaukee

The Mets won their game and had two other victories on opening night of the MLB playoffs.

Oct 1, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; New York Mets outfielder Harrison Bader (44) reacts after the ninth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers in game one of the Wildcard round for the 2024 MLB Playoffs at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
Oct 1, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; New York Mets outfielder Harrison Bader (44) reacts after the ninth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers in game one of the Wildcard round for the 2024 MLB Playoffs at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images / Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

You’ll hopefully forget the 8-4 score in Game 1 of the playoffs for the New York Mets because it’ll be just the first of several victories. Only one available win for the team, if you look around the MLB playoffs, it does feel like the Mets might’ve taken a pair of wins of a different nature.

In the earliest game between the Houston Astros and Detroit Tigers and the nightcap between the Atlanta Braves and San Diego Padres, it was nothing but smiles (except for maybe the bottom of the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers) that had us smiling from ear to ear.

The Justin Verlander trade continues to favor the Mets

Justin Verlander was not a part of the Astros playoff roster. 

In a year where he somehow managed to make one more start than he did during his time with the Mets, Verlander was an even less effective member of the Astros organization. He finished his year going 5-6 with a 5.48 ERA. It doesn’t matter much what your history is. When you struggle this badly and finish off the year with a 9.26 ERA in September (8.10 in the second half), there is little reason to have you around in a short series.

The Astros went to battle without their future Hall of Famer against his original ball club. Perhaps the only team with more destiny in their blood, the Tigers disposed of them.

The Mets already gained a lot by Verlander’s failure to reach an innings limit to vest his contract for 2025. He fell about 50 innings short. It’ll save them significant money all the while Ryan Clifford and Drew Gilbert continue their ascent to the major leagues.

The Mets got another laugh seeing the Braves get shut out

Mets magic prevailed on Monday against the Braves. However, if we were to say we’re confident in facing them in their ballpark again in the postseason, we’d be foolish. Luckily, the Padres took care of them. Michael King tossed 7 shutout innings and struck out 12 Braves hitters. Was this the Juan Soto trade or the Michael King deal?

Help came from the former New York Yankees pitcher and catcher Kyle Higashioka who homered. Those Yankees teams from the recent past must have been pretty tight with them helping out Carlos Mendoza. Even Dellin Betances came out to celebrate his ex-teammate and coach.

Smiles for Mets fans in October have been a rarity. Bask in this joy.

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