New York surged to a 5-0 win over Miami as Clay Holmes delivered a career-best six scoreless innings to anchor a critical victory in Game 161. Pete Alonso supplied offense with a homer, a double and two RBIs, lifting the Mets to a half-game edge over the Reds for the NL's final wild-card spot with one day remaining. Holmes, who had not started in 11 days, used a side-to-side mound approach to keep Marlins hitters off-balance and finished strong on 78 pitches.

The performance capped a season where Holmes converted from reliever to starter, delivering a 12-8 mark with a 3.53 ERA over a career-high 165 2/3 innings. New York now faces a decisive Sunday with Milwaukee and Cincinnati looming, hoping for help from the Brewers to clinch a playoff berth while avoiding the historical peril of late-season collapses. Alonso’s timely power adds urgency to a final-day plan that hinges on external outcomes.

Brett Baty’s oblique injury reshapes the Mets’ late season plan as they chase a playoff spot. With Baty out, Ronny Mauricio and Luisangel Acuña get more at bats at third and infield, while Mark Vientos must anchor defense and keep power plausible. A youth-led depth push, plus Dylan Ross and Nolan McLean depth in the bullpen, heightens the stakes this weekend against Miami. Imaging will decide the path forward, with Reds and Brewers lurking in the margins.