NEW YORK — The changeup tumbled toward home plate. Bryce Harper’s eyes grew wide. A borough held its breath. The game, the series and the magnificent seasons of two teams teetered in the balance.
For Mets hurler Sean Manaea, it was a particularly audacious pitch selection, given the circumstances. His club was up a pair of runs in the sixth inning of an eventual 7-2 victory in NLDS Game 3. Two Phillies hovered on base. There were no outs. The most imposing playoff performer in MLB history waited 60 feet, 6 inches away.
Both men knew that one bad pitch, one big swing, and the trajectory of this scintillating series would be rerouted once more.