Mets continue to one-up themselves with another thrilling late rally to take NLDS lead

The Mets have a dramatic way of one-upping themselves.

Two nights after one of their most dramatic wins in franchise history, which came a week after arguably their most memorable victory in their regular season history, New York once again secured thrilling comeback win, this time against the Phillies in front of a stunned crowd at Citizens Bank Park to grab a 1-0 NLDS lead.

For the second straight game, the Mets offense looked lifeless heading into the later innings. For the second straight game, it didn't matter. Just like they did in Thursday's Wild Card Series finale, New York rallied, knocking around the Phillies bullpen to plate five runs in the eighth, turning a 1-0 deficit into a commanding lead, spoiling what was a brilliant performance by former teammate Zack Wheeler.

"We've just been scrapping all year," J.D. Martinez said after coming up with a big hit of his own in the eighth. "We find a way to get it done.

"That's what you gotta do in the playoffs."

Jeff Hoffman replaced Wheeler, who turned in seven shutout innings, and the Mets went to work right away, getting a leadoff single by Francisco Alvarez, a walk by Francisco Lindor, and a single by Mark Vientos to quickly tie the game. They took the lead when Brandon Nimmo drove a base hit into left field to greet new pitcher Matt Strahm, giving New York the lead for good.

It was the reinforcement of a character trait that has followed these Mets around for months, as they once again battled back and turned the narrative of the game on its head. For seven innings, the story was about Wheeler and the Mets potentially finally meeting their match in the first-place Phillies, a team that has been more than battle tested in consecutive NLCS trips, and a pennant two years ago. Instead, the story was about another improbable comeback for New York, and the team's ability to somehow meet - and overcome - every challenge thrown its way since rallying to beat the Braves to clinch a playoff spot in game 161.

"After this past week in Atlanta and in Milwaukee, we've been fighting until the end," Vientos told SNY on the field after the game. "It gives us all the confidence in the world."

Now, the Mets have a chance to go back to Queens, and a raucous Citi Field crowd, with a commanding 2-0 series lead against a trendy World Series favorite. Sound improbable? The Mets have been making a living off of that for the past week.