The Mets haven’t played a home game since Sept. 22. That will change when they host the Phillies for Games 3 and 4 of the National League Division Series Tuesday and Wednesday.
“Feel like we’ve been on the road forever,” manager Carlos Mendoza said Monday at a Citi Field news conference. “It’s exciting, it’s awesome. I can’t wait for tomorrow.”
Since the last game at Citi Field, the Mets have been through – a lot. The playoff clincher in Atlanta. The Pete Alonso home run in Milwaukee. Two wild games in Philadelphia.
“It’s incredible,” Mendoza said. “You can write a book, you can make a movie … incredible week, but that’s what makes baseball such a beautiful sport. Probably, the best sport. You can’t predict baseball, man. You have to enjoy it. There’s going to be ups and downs and that’s part of it and now here we are getting ready to play here in Citi Field and hopefully we continue to write our own story.”
Mendoza said the key to the Mets’ resilience, is simple.
“We got good players,” he said. “We got great people. People that they believe. They believe in each other. There’s a lot going on behind closed doors that makes that group such a special group. I think the fact that we got off to such a rough start, we had to face adversity from the very beginning, I feel like it made that group stronger and we keep taking punches and keep finding ways to get back up.”
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Mendoza said everything is “trending” toward Kodai Senga pitching in a possible Game 5 and David Peterson may continue to be used out of the bullpen or make a start if needed.
When asked about Mark Vientos and his postseason play thus far, Lindor commented, “Vientos is making himself famous. He had a really good year, and he’s having a better postseason. I’m proud of him. I hope he carries us to the World Series.” As early as December of 2023, Lindor took Vientos under his wing and worked with him on his defense and at-bats during the offseason. After a season that saw him taxi back and forth from Syracuse a couple of times, he cemented his place on the Mets’ roster for good.
He also talked about Francisco Lindor‘‘s return:
“He’s the MVP,” he said. “Not only what he does on the field, but what he does behind closed doors. He cares so much. He wants it so much. I think the hardest part for me was not seeing that smile.”
Francisco Lindor, who played his last game at Citi Field on September 8 against the Reds is ready for his return. With a smile on his face, Lindor noted, “I’m looking forward to it. I’m excited for it.”
Game 3 starter Sean Manaea, who was on the Padres when they faced the Mets in the 2022 playoffs, also spoke at the news conference.
“I expect it to be crazy,” he said of the Citi Field atmosphere. “You know, I was here in ’22 and it was definitely wild for sure. This place can definitely be rocking. I mean the last couple games we had here were pretty amazing.”
Manaea reflected on the last week as well.
“Obviously, my voice is gone,” he joked. “I think it was because of Pete (Alonso). So thank you, Pete. It’s been an amazing special time to go through this like stretch to end the season and start the postseason … I think we all believed in each other.”
Like Mendoza, Manaea is glad to be home.
“There’s definitely a sense of ‘rejuvency,'” he said, inventing a word. “The road can be crazy, but so can this place and I’m looking forward to it, feeding off the energy.”
Manaea also revealed that it was Jesse Winker who started the trend of some pitchers wearing eye black when they aren’t playing. Manaea had the number 40 in eye black on his face during Luis Severino‘s start on Sunday.
“Just another good luck charm, I guess,” he said.
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