The New York Mets are defying expectations and appear to be a team of destiny. Initially regarded as a squad that wouldn’t be competitive until at least 2025, the Mets have flipped the script and now stand just one win away from the National League Championship Series (NLCS). After defeating the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday, the Mets are poised for a historic moment, with the next game potentially cementing their place among the last four teams standing.

Quintana Set to Lead Mets’ Charge to the NLCS

To close out the Phillies in Game 4, the Mets will send veteran left-hander Jose Quintana to the mound. Quintana, who was stellar in his previous outing during the NL Wild Card round against the Milwaukee Brewers, will be key to the Mets’ hopes. In that game, he pitched six scoreless innings, proving he can deliver when it matters most.

Quintana’s regular-season performance was solid, posting a 3.75 ERA over 170.1 innings, providing much-needed stability to New York’s rotation. Now, the Mets are placing their faith in the southpaw to finish off one of the best teams in baseball, with just one more victory needed to advance to the NLCS for the first time since 2015.

However, the challenge is not easy. The Phillies have been formidable all year long, and closing them out will require more than just strong pitching.

Mets Offense Poised for a Historic Win

While Quintana takes the mound, the Mets will rely heavily on their red-hot offense, which has been firing on all cylinders this postseason. Pete Alonso, the team’s power hitter, has been sensational, contributing two home runs and three walks over the last two games against the Phillies. All-around star Francisco Lindor has also been consistent, hitting safely in each of the Mets’ six postseason games thus far.

Supporting this offensive surge are Mark Vientos, Jesse Winker, and Brandon Nimmo, all of whom are in excellent form and will play vital roles in driving the team forward. The combination of their sharp bats and Quintana’s reliable arm gives New York the chance to make history on Wednesday at Citi Field.

If the Mets succeed, it will mark a return to the NLCS for the first time since 2015, a year when they swept the Chicago Cubs before falling to the Kansas City Royals in the World Series. Now, this talented and underrated group of players has the opportunity to take the organization back to glory and make a statement in this year’s postseason.

With one win separating them from the NLCS, the Mets are poised to take the next step and etch their names into franchise history.