NYM clinch NL Wild Card spot: when was the last time the Mets went to the World Series?

It was surely what was meant to be, a rollercoaster ride that seemed to encapsulate the essence of the New York Mets’ season. As it turned out, Francisco Lindor came through in a big way, hitting a clutch two-run homer in the ninth inning to lift the Mets to a nail-biting 8-7 win over the Atlanta Braves in the first Game of a Monday doubleheader.

Fans watching on in the stadium and around the country could let out a huge sigh of relief, as well as instinctive screams of joy, because not only was the victory dramatic, but it also secured the Mets a spot in the National League wild-card round.

How can the Mets clinch a playoff spot?

The Mets (89-72) had to overcome two separate deficits. First, they wiped out a 3-0 Braves lead with a huge six-run eighth inning. Atlanta answered back with four runs of their own, retaking a 7-6 lead. But Lindor’s 33rd home run of the season, a 413-foot shot to centre, sealed the deal and set the stage for an important second Game. Depending on the outcome, the Mets could either lock down the No. 4 seed and start the playoffs in San Diego, or if the Braves came out on top, the Mets would head to Milwaukee as the No. 3 seed.

When the Mets last reached a World Series

While the Mets continue to add to their story with exciting wins like this one in Atlanta, their 2015 return to the World Series still stands out as a key moment in the team’s History. After years of rebuilding, they made it back to the Fall Classic for the first time in 15 years, capturing the hearts of fans across New York. The previous visits came in 2000, 1986, 1973 and 1969.

Those 2015 Mets were led by a dominant pitching rotation, featuring stars like Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard, and an unforgettable postseason performance from Daniel Murphy. Murphy’s heroics in the NLCS helped the Mets sweep the Chicago Cubs and secure their World Series spot against the Kansas City Royals. Though they fell to the Royals in five Games, the team’s return to the big stage marked the beginning of a new era for the franchise.

Now, as the 2024 Mets gear up for another postseason push, fans are dreaming of another shot at World Series glory – with players like Lindor and Alvarez leading the charge.