Mets Beat Braves to Clinch Spot in Playoff Bracket as MLB Fans Salute Thrilling Game

The New York Mets are heading to the postseason.

The Mets entered the day needing to win at least one game in the team's doubleheader against the Atlanta Braves to secure a postseason berth. After multiple lead changes, a Francisco Lindor two-run home run in the top of the ninth inning gave the team an 8-7 lead it would hold onto for the victory.

Fans took to social media to celebrate the Mets' accomplishment and praise how competitive the matchup was.

The Mets complete an improbable run to the playoffs and qualify for the first time since 2022. This comes after the team had a 24-35 record in June.

For the majority of the game, it looked like the Braves would be the ones celebrating after Game 1. Ozzie Albies hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the third inning to give the Braves an early lead and a Ramon Laureano solo home run in the sixth inning made the lead 6-0.

Starting pitcher Spencer Schwellenbach was dominant for Atlanta, going seven innings while allowing just one run and four hits and striking out five Met batters. The run came in the eighth inning and he would be removed from the game.

The Mets erupted for six total runs in that eighth inning to take a 6-3 lead. However, Atlanta scored four in the bottom of the inning to retake the lead and the Mets entered the ninth down to their last outs.

That's when Lindor delivered the crushing blow and Edwin Díaz shut the door in the ninth to secure the spot.

The Mets and Braves still have one more came on Monday, with the Braves hoping to secure a playoff berth. If the Mets win, the Arizona Diamondbacks will claim a spot. If Atlanta wins, the Braves will join the Mets in the postseason.

First pitch for the final game of the 2024 regular season is set for 4:50 p.m. ET. Atlanta was set to trot out southpaw Chris Sale in the matchup, but he was scratched due to back spasms, per Mark Bowman of MLB.com. Grant Holmes will instead get the start.