Francisco Lindor sends Mets to NLCS

After Edwin Diaz struck out Kyle Schawarber to clinch a berth to the National League Championship Series, Francisco Lindor and the Mets’ infielders hugged at second base.

Lindor slapped his glove and shouted, “Let’s go,” toward the sellout crowd after the Mets beat the Phillies 4-1 to win a postseason series for the first time at Citi Field.

The Mets are headed to the NLCS for the first time since 2015. They won the best-of-five Division Series 3-1 over their heated NL East rivals.

What began as a season of dismay for the wild-card Mets is now only a series win away from the World Series. The Mets and Lindor’s early struggles are now in the past as their star shortstop has carried them into the NLCS. 

All 44,103 fans were on their feet as their MVP walked toward the batter’s box with the bases loaded on Wednesday evening. Much anticipation was raised when Lindor, who has been the Mets’ most consistent hitter, stepped to the plate. The Phillies countered with Carlos Estevez.

Francisco Lindor garners ‘MVP’ chants

The crowd watched anxiously as the at-bat unfolded. The silent spectators quickly unleashed a roar as Lindor crushed Estevez’s 99 mph fastball into the left field stands. The celebration continued as the raucous crowd sang “MVP” chants in harmony after the grand slam. 

Francisco Lindor grand slam #NLDS style with Howie Rose on the call 🎙️ pic.twitter.com/u5Y3YLYrKn

— MLB (@MLB) October 10, 2024

“I don’t know how to describe it because there was a lot going through my mind, the feeling, the whole dugout, guys jumping up and down,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said about the grand slam. “And just because it was hard for us, you know? It was hard for us the whole year.

“And then today, a perfect example, got runners on and we couldn’t come up with a big hit until finally, who else? The MVP. I keep saying you could write a book. You could make a movie, because this is it right here.”

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Lindor, a native of Caguas, Puerto Rico, became the second Met to hit a postseason grand slam and the first since Edgardo Alfonso hit one in Game 1 of the 1999 NLDS. According to Baseball Reference Lindor also is the first shortstop in MLB history to hit a go-ahead grand slam in the playoffs. 

New York paid Francisco Lindor $341 million to be the face of the franchise. He surely has lived up to it. Lindor also helped the Mets clinch the postseason when he hit a two-run home run in the ninth inning of their penultimate game of the regular season. 

Many people counted out the Mets initially. The Mets were 24-33 after the first two months of the season..

However, with three-time Silver Slugger  in the forefront, the Mets surged back to a .500 record before the end of June. The Mets had to overcome plenty of adversity to reach the NLCS.

‘Feels amazing’ 

“It feels amazing to be able to continue to move forward,” Lindor told the media in New York. “It’s been an uphill fight. It’s been tough. But we’re still not where we want to be. We’ve got to continue to play the game the right way day in and day out.

“We enjoyed this one. We celebrate it with our families and our fan base. But, yeah, you’ve just got to stay the course, continue to stay the course, continue to learn day in and day out. This road, it’s been, yeah, it’s been curvy, but I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

Lefthander Jose Quintana also helped the Mets extend their season. The Arjona, Colombia, native won the pitching duel against the Phillies’ Ranger Suarez. Quintana tossed five two-hit, scoreless innings while striking out six. 

The 13-year veteran southpaw has been electric this postseason. Quintana, who threw a quality start against the Brewers in the Wild Card, has not surrendered a run in two postseason starts this year.

Jose Quintana wins again

“Q, it’s been hard for him. He’s been through a lot of ups and downs, and he always finds a way to get the job done,” Mendoza said. “We felt really good coming into this game because of who he is, how much he prepares, how much he cares.

“And he went out there and did it and gave us a chance. I’m proud of him. Proud of him because he never gave up. Never put his head down. Kept working. He’s been amazing for us the whole year.”

Francisco Lindor and the Mets they await the winner of the other NL Division Series between the Dodgers and Padres. While they celebrated this victory with a lot of emotion, they know they still have more to play for. 

“I want to win it all,” Lindor said. “And ours will be a team that will forever be remembered. This will be a team that comes every 10 years and eats for free everywhere they go.
“And I want to do that. I want to do that. But the job is not done. We have a good team that plays the game the right way. We respect our opponents and go out there and give everything we have.”