Three Reasons the Mets Can Clinch the NLDS Tonight Against the Phillies

Photo From Action Network

Game 4 of the NLDS between the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies is scheduled for tonight at 5:08 pm ET. Jose Quintana is starting for the Mets, and Ranger Suarez is taking the mound for the Phillies. The Mets will be hosting for the second night in a row and are currently up 2-1 in this best-of-five series. A win tonight for New York sends the Mets to the NLCS, and a Phillies win forces a winner-take-all Game 5 at Citizens Bank Park this Friday.

Here are three reasons why I think the Mets can finish this series tonight.

1. Home Field Advantage:

Growing up in Westchester County and now living in New York City, I have been to Citi Field countless times and have been to several meaningful games, including Game 3 of the 2022 Wild Card game against the San Diego Padres. I've never seen a more ELECTRIC atmosphere at Citi Field last night, and I was watching the game at my apartment. This type of energetic enthusiasm from the fans rubs off on the roster. I truly believe the fans energized the Mets and got inside the Phillies' heads. I expect the energy to match or even exceed last night's outing.

2. Quintana Was in a Similar Scenario Last Week and Succeeded:

Just last Thursday, the Mets turned to Jose Quintana in a win-or-go-home Game 3 of the Wild Card series against the Milwaukee Brewers. With the season on the line, Quintana shined. I didn't mean to rhyme and be corny there, but seriously, Quintana was rock solid in Game 3, where he pitched six scoreless innings while striking out five batters and giving up four hits and one walk. The Mets’ biggest weakness is their bullpen. If Quintana can have a performance similar to his last outing, the Mets have a great shot at winning this game.

3. Keep Connecting On the Long Ball:

During the regular season, the Mets finished seventh in total runs scored with 768. A large part of their offensive success was home runs. The Mets finished sixth in the league with 207 long balls. Recent history has shown us hitting home runs in the playoffs is crucial to postseason success. The Mets only hit one home run in their Wild Card series, but that one home run was Pete Alonso’s three-run shot in the top of the 9th inning in Game 3 to give the Mets the lead over the Milwaukee Brewers. The Mets failed to hit a home run in their Game 1 win in Philadelphia. However, the tone has changed in the last two games. In Game 2, even though the Mets lost, it was kept competitive because they were hitting homers. The Mets hit four home runs in Game 2. The first two homers gave them a 3-0 lead. The third homer gave them a 4-3 lead, and the fourth homer tied the game 6-6. In Game 3, the Mets hit another two home runs. Both of those were solo homers that gave them a 2-0 lead, a lead they would keep for the rest of the game. The homer will need to be present tonight, as the Phillies are also known for their power, finishing seventh in regular season home runs, just behind the Mets.

Who do you have winning game 4? Comment below.