The New York Mets continued their impressive September run on Saturday and secured a Wild Card lead for the playoffs. The Mets had a blast shutting out the Cincinnati Reds 4-0 for their ninth consecutive victory. This win, coupled with the Atlanta Braves’ loss to the Toronto Blue Jays, propelled the Mets into sole possession of the third National League wild-card spot. If you are wondering about what the Wild Card spot is, check out these baseball betting tutorials. You’ll be able to learn about the league’s structure, and the best ways to win big in baseball betting.
In this game, left-hander Jose Quintana led the charge with 6 2/3 shutout innings, striking out six while allowing just five hits and two walks. The Mets’ bullpen completed the shutout, with three relievers, including closer Edwin Díaz in the ninth, allowing only one hit over the final 2 1/3 innings.
The Mets’ bats were quiet early, failing to record a hit against Reds starter Jakob Junis until the fifth inning. The breakthrough came in the sixth when Harrison Bader hit a solo home run. Pete Alonso and J.D. Martinez then added three more runs with a single and a two-run double, respectively.
Playoff Implications and the Wild Card Lead
This victory improves the Mets’ record to 78-64, marking a significant turnaround from their 49-46 first-half performance. Since the All-Star break, they’ve gone 29-18, catapulting themselves into playoff contention. The Mets remain undefeated in September, solidifying their position in the postseason race. The team will look to complete the sweep against the Reds in Sunday’s series finale, aiming to further strengthen their wild-card standing.
When it comes to sports betting, win streaks become popular among bettors. The excitement increases as the streak goes longer. and with a 9-win streak, you can imagine how much fans will be looking into betting on their favorite team. Especially when they have the advantage in their Wild Card lead. Of course, some may also bet against them to break the streak. You can find out which option could be more profitable with this guide on how to bet on baseball.
Game Highlights and Injury Updates
As exciting as the game was, it also brought disappointing news for the Mets. Second baseman Jeff McNeil is likely to miss the remainder of the regular season after suffering a fractured wrist on Friday night when he was hit by a pitch. While this is a significant blow to the team’s lineup, the Mets haven’t ruled out the possibility of McNeil returning for the playoffs, should they secure a postseason slot.
The team will look to complete the sweep against the Reds in Sunday’s series finale, aiming to further strengthen their wild-card standing while adjusting to McNeil’s absence. With this shuffle in their roster, you might want to check the latest prop bets on the Mets. MLB prop bets are popular in sportsbooks for good reason. If you can find really great betting options on prop bets in the games to come, then you might just win yourself a nice payout.
