Takeaways from Phillies-Mets Game 1 of NLDS: Phillies waste stellar start, more late-inning Mets heroics

Somehow, some way, the New York Mets keep finding ways to win in the postseason. On Saturday, they stunned the Philadelphia Phillies, coming behind to win Game 1 of the National League Division Series, 6-2. 

Here are three takeaways from the action. 

Mets prove they’re never dead with another late-inning explosion

The Mets thrived on late-game theatrics again on Saturday, stealing Game 1 from the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. After recording only one hit off starter Zack Wheeler over the first seven innings, New York’s offense came alive against Philadelphia’s bullpen in the top of the eighth inning, turning a 1-0 deficit into a four-run lead in the blink of an eye. 

The first six batters of the eighth set the tone despite falling behind in the count. Francisco Alvarez, Francisco Lindor, Mark Vientos, Brandon Nimmo, Pete Alonso and Jose Iglesias combined to record four hits, a walk and a sacrifice fly for three RBI, opening the door for a five-run inning which essentially sealed the victory. 

It’s the fourth time this week that the Mets have come from behind to win a game when trailing after the seventh inning. Over the last two games, New York has gone 10-of-20 at the plate, outscoring their opponents 10-1 in the eighth and ninth innings. 

Gutsy collective effort on the mound benefited Mets

Making only his second start of the 2024 season and first since July 26, Mets starter Kodai Senga was serviceable through two innings. After allowing a lead-off home run to Kyle Schwarber, he responded by retiring six of the next seven batters he faced before giving way to the bullpen. 

David Peterson, Reed Garrett and Phil Maton were integral to New York’s victory, shutting down the Phillies high-powered offense through the bulk of the game. Between the third and eighth innings, the trio combined to strand six base runners, striking out four while working around three hits and three walks. 

As was the case in Game 3 of their NL wild-card series against the Brewers, when Jose Quintana picked them up (6.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER), a solid pitching performance for the Mets kept them alive long enough for the offense to come around. 

Bats and bullpen let Phillies down

Zack Wheeler threw a career-high 111 postseason pitches and was nearly unhittable on Saturday, recording 30 swings-and-misses and nine strikeouts while allowing only one hit over seven innings. The Cy Young candidate’s outing was wasted, though, thanks to a lackluster offensive performance and a bullpen implosion by the Phillies. 

Before the eighth inning, Philadelphia had only two hits, both belonging to Schwarber. The heart of the order came up small, with Trea Turner (0-of-4, 2 K), Bryce Harper (1-of-2, 2 BB, 1 K), Nick Castellanos (1-of-4, 2 K), and Alec Bohm (0-of-3, 1 BB, 1 K), struck out six times, finishing 2-of-13, with both hits coming after the Phillies had fallen behind 5-1. 

The club’s struggles at the plate could’ve been easily forgotten if Philly’s bullpen had held up its end of the bargain. Immediately after Wheeler left the game, Jeff Hoffman, Matt Strahm and Orion Kerkering blew a 1-0 Phillies lead, allowing five runs off four hits and a walk, completely changing the tide of Game 1 and perhaps the series.