The New York Mets have taken a crucial 1-0 lead in the National League Wild Card series against the Milwaukee Brewers, following a decisive 8-4 victory in Game 1 on October 1, 2024. This win sets the stage for a pivotal Game 2, which took place on October 2 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Game 1 Recap
In Game 1, the Mets capitalized on a strong performance, particularly in the fifth inning where they scored five runs with two outs. This surge proved decisive, as the Brewers were unable to recover from the deficit. The game highlighted the resilience of the Mets, who have defied expectations to reach this stage of the postseason.
Game 2 Preview
For Game 2, the Mets sent left-hander Sean Manaea to the mound, while the Brewers countered with right-handed starter Frankie Montas. Manaea, despite a recent outing where he allowed six runs against Milwaukee, was tasked with securing a series-clinching win for the Mets. Montas, one of the Brewers' midseason acquisitions, aimed to keep the Brewers' season alive.
The starting lineups for both teams reflected their strategic approaches. The Mets fielded a lineup that included Francisco Lindor at shortstop, Jos Iglesias at second base, and Pete Alonso at first base. The Brewers, meanwhile, featured Jackson Chourio in left field, Blake Perkins in center field, and Willy Adames at shortstop.
Postseason Implications
A win for the Mets in Game 2 would advance them to the National League Division Series (NLDS) against the Philadelphia Phillies. For the Brewers, a loss would mark the end of their 2024 season, while a win would force a deciding Game 3 on October 3 at American Family Field.
The Brewers, who have made their sixth playoff appearance in seven years, are seeking to overcome their recent postseason drought. They last won a postseason series in 2018, when they were one win away from the World Series before losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
MLB Playoff Schedule and Rules
The MLB playoff schedule is packed with action, with the wild-card rounds running from October 1-3, followed by the division series from October 5-12, the league championship series from October 13-22, and the World Series from October 25-November 2. Notably, rule changes such as the pitch clock and restrictions on infield shifts will be in effect during the postseason, although the 'ghost runner' rule for extra innings will not apply.
The Mets and Brewers series is part of a broader playoff picture, where teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies have secured top seeds and enjoy a bye in the wild-card round. The Yankees and Guardians hold the top seeds in the American League.
As the series unfolds, fans can catch the action on various networks, including ESPN, ESPN2, and ABC for the wild-card rounds, with later rounds broadcast on FS1, TruTV, TBS, and Fox.
