ATLANTA — There have been stranger clinching scenarios at the ballpark, but not many. In a chaotic, exhilarating, heartbreaking first game of a rain-delayed playoff-qualifying doubleheader, the Mets rode a six-run 8th inning and a comeback 9th to top the Braves, 8-7, and clinch a spot in the 2024 National League playoffs. Atlanta, which carried a 3-0 lead into the 8th, and took a 7-6 lead into the 9th, had only minutes to regroup and prepare for the second half of the doubleheader, which is now an all-or-nothing game for the Braves.
The task for both teams coming into Monday's doubleheader was straightforward, if not simple: Win one of the two games, and advance to the wild card round of the National League playoffs.