The New York Mets staved off elimination from the playoffs with a crucial 5-0 victory over the Miami Marlins, thanks to a stellar performance from starting pitcher Clay Holmes. Holmes, stepping up when the team needed it most, delivered his best start of the season by holding Miami to just one hit over six scoreless innings.
Holmes, who hadn’t started a game in 11 days, rose to the occasion by efficiently securing 18 outs on only 78 pitches, demonstrating resilience and skill under pressure. Manager Carlos Mendoza was ready to deploy his entire bullpen to secure a win and keep the Mets’ playoff hopes alive, but Holmes’ dominance ensured that was unnecessary.
First baseman Pete Alonso had a standout game as well, contributing a home run and a double, helping the Mets secure a half-game lead over the Cincinnati Reds in the race for the final National League wild-card spot. However, with Cincinnati defeating the Milwaukee Brewers later the same day, the Mets remain tied with the Reds in the standings. The Reds hold the tiebreaker advantage due to their 4-2 season series win over New York, leaving the Mets’ postseason fate hanging in the balance heading into the final regular-season game.
Holmes’ resurgence as a starter was one of the bright spots for the Mets in the 2025 season. Although he initially struggled and had been used in relief roles, he ended the year with a commendable record of 12-8 and a 3.53 ERA over 165⅔ innings, proving the Mets’ offseason decision to sign him as a starter was worthwhile.
Holmes was particularly effective against the Marlins by introducing a strategy of varying his positioning on the pitching mound, which provided hitters with different perspectives and contributed to his east-west movement’s success. His ability to adapt and deliver when it counted most was reminiscent of past Mets’ performances against the Marlins in crucial games, drawing parallels to performances by John Maine in 2007 and Johan Santana in 2008.
Heading into the season’s final game, with playoff hopes still in the air, the Mets are counting on another win and a favorable outcome from the Brewers to secure their spot in the playoffs. Pete Alonso summed up the team’s sentiment, humorously adding, “All I can say is, for today at least, ‘Go, Brewers.’”