Mets Madness Recap: 2022 Mets Topple 1998 Mets To Advance To Championship

MMO’s partnership with Out of the Park Baseball (OOTP) carries on as the 16-team Mets Madness bracket is winding down. After the 1988 Mets downed the 2006 Mets in the first semifinal to advance to the title game, the 2022 Mets followed suit and defeated the 1998 Mets to join 1988 in the championship.

The 2022 Mets, who have now defeated 1999 Mets, 1986 Mets, and most recently, the aforementioned 1998 Mets in the tournament, is piloted by MMO editor and writer James Villani. The 1998 Mets, who fell in seven games, was ran by MMO editor and writer Mojo Hill.

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Game 1

In Game 1, the 2022 Mets won in an onslaught started early by a six-run first inning. The 1998 Mets’ starter, Al Leiter, was shelled, allowing six hits, but only two of the six runs were earned, in the first frame. Max Scherzer got the start for the 2022 Mets and went six innings, allowing only two runs. Offensively, Brandon Nimmo and Mark Canha both had three RBIs for the 2022 Mets, in addition to a long ball each.

The final score in the game was 11-4. After jumping out to a 7-0 lead, the 1998 Mets were able to close in, 8-4. But that was the closest they were able to get as the 2022 Mets jumped out to a 1-0 series lead.

Game 2

Game 2 was a pitcher’s duel, as Rick Reed for the 1998 team threw a gem. He only allowed one run across 8 1/3 innings of work. Despite this, it was the 2022 Mets that struck first via a Daniel Vogelbach home run. However, when Edwin Díaz was called upon in 1-0 game for a six-out save, he folded, allowing RBI hits to Brian McRae and Mike Piazza in the eighth inning. In the end, a seven-scoreless inning Jacob deGrom performance was wasted and the 1998 Mets got the Game 2 win, 3-1.

Game 3

The 2022 Mets responded in Game 3 thanks to a huge eighth inning. Entering the eighth frame tied at two, the 2022 Mets reeled off five eighth-inning runs. The explosion was thanks to a Tyler Naquin two-run triple and a Daniel Vogelbach bases-clearing double. Reliever Greg McMichael was shelled, allowing all five of those runs, and despite the 1998 Mets threatening in the ninth inning, Edwin Díaz rebounded and helped the 2022 team to a 7-4 Game 3 victory.

Game 4

In another pitcher’s duel, similar to Game 2, it was the 1998 team who once again was able to tie the series. After Taijuan Walker and Masato Yoshii both only gave up two runs, the deciding tally came in the seventh innings against 2022 Mets reliever Drew Smith. Specifically, it was Edgardo Alfonzo who hit a solo home run in the seventh while Willie Blair and John Franco got the hold and save to end the game propelling the 1998 team to the 3-2 Game 4 victory.

Game 5

Max Scherzer was once again huge for the 2022 Mets, pitching six innings of one-run ball. He gave way to a bullpen combination of Carlos Carrasco, Drew Smith, and Edwin Díaz who all posted scoreless appearances. Offensively, it was Starling Marte (two-run double) and Eduardo Escobar (solo home run) who led the 2022 team to a 3-1 victory.

Game 6

The 1998 Mets needed a victory to force a Game 7, and got exactly that. The 2022 team was forced to use seven pitchers, and the 1998 team was able to take advantage and scatter 15 hits. A two-run fifth was the difference, and the 1998 Mets held on, 4-2, to force a decisive Game 7.

Game 7

Entering the seventh inning, the 1998 Mets held a 3-0 lead and were poised to advance to the Mets Mandess title game. However, the 2022 Mets once again got to reliever Greg McMichael as he allowed five runs in the bottom of the seventh inning propelling the 2022 Mets to a 5-3 victory.

In that seventh inning, Pete Alonso had a huge two-run single, while Francisco Lindor and Daniel Vogelbach also had run-scoring hits. Joely Rodríguez was credited with the win, while Adam Ottavino and Edwin Diaz combined to close things down in the eighth and ninth innings.

Series MVP

It was an unlikely MVP for the Mets, as Eduardo Escobar, who got 26 at-bats in the series, led New York hitters in home runs, average (.385), and OPS (1.121). There were not any specific big-time moments for Escobar, but he was just extremely consistent the whole seven games.

What’s Next

The 2022 Mets are slated to face the 1988 Mets in the Mets Madness title game. That contest will mark the end of the 16-team Mets Madness bracket that MMO and Out of the Park Baseball partnered to run.

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