‘It’s coming’: New York Mets must avoid 2015 ghosts and sluggers backed to make a difference

In New York on Thursday night, it’s almost make or break time for the Mets.

After being swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers for the second time in the series, the Mets are down 2-1 and the next two nights in the Big Apple are crucial.

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When NLCS baseball returned to CITI Field for the first time in nine years, New York Mets fans were filled with excitement.

After a crushing 9-0 loss in the series opener, the Mets won a dramatic Game 2, leaving the series tied at 1-1 as they headed to the East Coast.

Once again, this time 8-0, he left Mets fans with 2015 World Series nightmares against the Kansas City Royals.

Francisco Álvarez elected to throw the ball to second base, instead of reaching for the safety at first, which ultimately allowed both runners to be safe, and then Luis Severino threw a double play ball to the next batter.

The 22-year-old had a chance to rectify his mistake the next inning, but walked with the bases loaded and one out.

A series of defensive mistakes in the second inning left Mets fans reminiscing about the series of defensive mistakes that ultimately cost them the championship in 2015.

Almost a decade ago, Yoenis Céspedes’ groundout on the first pitch of the series allowed Alcides Escobar to score and foreshadowed what was to come for the Mets.

Daniel Murphy’s error where the ball dribbled under his glove in Game 4 allowed the Royals to come back and take a 3-1 series lead.

In the last game with the Mets leading in the penultimate inning, Lucas Duda made a wide throw at the plate that allowed the Royals to tie the game.

They would eventually win the game and take a World Series from the Mets extending their wait for success.

Wednesday night, in the post-game press Conference, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza defended his 22-year-old catcher.

“Alvy will play tomorrow.” Mendoza said, silencing her doubts and assuring her confidence in her young charge.

Alvarez was signed by the Mets as an international free agent in 2018, and quickly became the Mets’ top prospect and the No. 6 overall prospect. baseball.

The Venezuelan made his major league debut in 2022, hitting his first career home run against the Washington Nationals in the season finale.

Alvarez began 2023 in the minor leagues, but was promoted before the All-Star Game and hit 23 home runs to finish the year.

The Venezuelan catcher started 2024 well before a thumb injury sidelined him for five weeks, and things didn’t work out in his return.

“He’s a good hitter, he’s a good player,” Alvarez added.

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“I think offensively, he’s late to get his swing, so we see him late on fastballs and chasing offspeeds.

“We’re also facing an elite pitching staff. He will come for us.”

The Mets now face an uphill task, needing three wins in the next four games to clinch the season title.

With two to be played in Los Angeles, it makes things even more intense for Mendoza’s men as they aim to reach a World Series for the first time since that fateful date nine years ago.

Before the Royals’ disappointment, their last World Series appearance was in 2000 when they faced the New York Yankees in a “Subway Series” matchup and were soundly defeated.

They’ve won two World Series in the organization’s history, in 1969 and 1986, respectively, but if there’s one thing baseball fans have learned about the Mets, it’s never discount them.