Mets clinch NL Wild Card spot as Francisco Lindor's clutch 9th-inning home run leads to win over Braves

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The feeling of October playoff baseball started one day early. 

The New York Mets and Atlanta Braves had a thrilling first game of their doubleheader to determine who will be a Wild Card team in the National League. 

After a late-inning back-and-forth on the scoreboard, it’s the Mets who have punched their ticket to the postseason with an 8-7 victory. 

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New York Mets' Francisco Lindor prepares to swing in the third inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Monday, Sept. 30, 2024, in Atlanta.  (AP Photo/Jason Allen)

Now, before recapping this wild ending, the Braves still have a chance to get into the playoffs themselves as the final wild card team if they win the second game of this doubleheader. 

However, if the Mets win, the Arizona Diamondbacks will take that final spot. They’re certainly rooting for New York, as they knew heading into Monday they needed a sweep from one of the NL East rivals. 

Like many games before in this bitter rivalry, theatrics played out late in the game when it appeared all hope was lost for the Mets. But like any other playoff game, it’s never truly over until that 27th out is made. 

METS-BRAVES DOUBLEHEADER TO DETERMINE FINAL NL WILD CARD TEAMS IN DRAMATIC FASHION

New York had trouble against Braves rookie starter Spencer Schwellenbach all game long, and after Tylor Megill let up a two-run homer to Ozzie Albies in the bottom of the third inning and a solo shot to Ramon Laureano in the sixth, Atlanta held a 3-0 lead heading into the top of the eighth. 

Braves manager Brian Snitker let Schwellenbach go out for the eighth inning, something he