We went from “OMG” the Mets really are going to do it again to instead, we got a walk off for the home team. What new also got was the game of the postseason and truly what exemplified what October baseball is all about.

If you are a Phillies fan, you were thinking to yourself “not again with this pitching staff.” Luis Severino was pitching phenomenal to start, and then the Fighting Phils got back to work.

Bryce Harper entered the chat and hit a two run blast and then saw Nick Castellanos tie the game in the sixth inning. The rest of the way was the most thrilling action of baseball, as the leads kept changing and it was back and forth the entire way. Brandon Nimmo joined the home run derby that was going on and the Mets crawled back in front. Bryson Stott hit a two run bases clearing triple and JT Realmuto drove him in. Life was great and the Phillies were a few outs away from walking out with a victory.

Mark Vientos did it once again, hitting his second home run of the game to tie the game. Bottom of the ninth was some of the most anticipation I’ve felt watching baseball this year. Bryce Harper nearly walked it off, but it wa a foul ball. He was walked, setting Castellanos up for the thrill of a lifetime.

Castellanos hit a deep ball into left field and was enough to drive in the game winning run. The Phillies won the hard fought game and head into Queens tied at 1-1.

For the Mets, don’t be discouraged. You won the Zack Wheeler matchup and nearly won Game 2. Now, with home field advantage, the Mets can do the unthinkable and take the series.

Mets Having Home Field

Bryce Harper mentioned after Game 2 that they’ll be heading into a hostile environment. That really is correct. Citi Field is going to have immaculate vibes and the atmosphere should be electric. October Baseball is touching down in Queens rightfully where it belongs.

The vibes around Citi field have been great all year. They’ve been so great they even gave Grimace a purple seat. This team wasn’t just playing good baseball, they were having fun.

During the regular season, the Mets finished with a record of 46-35 at home. Also, they finished 3-4 against the Phillies at home this season.

Confidence has to be riding high. Despite losing Game 2, the Mets showed they will fight back and they remained competitive throughout. Also, stealing the Zack Wheeler start is HUGE and now the Mets have home field advantage. The bats are the bats and they are alive and well. However, it’s the pitchers that’ll need to continue to deliver.

Pitching Matchups

It was a bold strategy to pitch Cristopher Sanchez at home. Granted his splits at home are way better than on the road, so the shoe fits. Now that they are even in the series, that proved to be a wise move. For the Mets offense, they’ll need to get after Aaron Nola, who is just as good on the road as he is at home. On the road, Nola has a .273 batting average against, which is slightly higher than the .223 at home. The rest of the slash line is .318/.465/.783. Nola has given up more hits and has less strikeouts on the road. The Mets got a good outing out of Luis Severino and the bullpen locked it down in Game 1. Up next; Sean Manaea.

Manaea has been a bright spot for the Mets. His regular season was his best regular season since 2019. His 3.47 ERA and 1.08 WHIP was his best output on the mound. It is a good thing the Mets are home, because Manaea has been great at home.

Manaea has a .195 batting average against at home. He’s done a tremendous job of limiting his walks and has piled on the strikeouts. Only issue, is the contact that is made is hard contact, as opponents are slugging .352 at Citi Field against him.

He will have his work cut out for him, as Nola is no slouch. But riding confidence and playing behind the electric crowd should help.

Jose Quintana will go Wednesday. He is 0-1 in six postseason games and has a 2.92 ERA. Ranger Suarez will go for the Phillies, and if he looks anything like the beginning of the season, it could be a long night.

Vibes in Queens Will Be Immaculate

October Baseball deserves to be played in Queens and it will. The fans are ready and the Mets are going to come home to a rowdy crowd. This is what October is all about. A division rivalry and with two games that have already been an electric factory. The Mets having home field and desirable pitching should make for a good two games.