We’re so excited to be rooting for our home team the @Mets tonight! Thank you to the Mets for giving our kids these cool rally towels ahead of tonight’s game. Join us tonight at the club to watch the game and enjoy snacks & refreshments! pic.twitter.com/6mKNw7lxE0
— VBGCQ (@vbgcq) October 7, 2022
Tonight's Padres-Mets Game 3 at Citi Field is the lone remaining Wild Card game on the MLB playoff docket, before Division Series get underway on Tuesday. The Mets "gave out orange rally towels to fans at the first two games of the series at Citi Field," and fans "dutifully waved them." The towels say “These Mets,” which the club is "apparently hoping will become some sort of signature phrase around the 2022 team." A “These Mets” branding campaign launched on Thursday in "spots around New York City, including subway trains" (NEWSDAY, 10/8).
The three other Wild Card Series were all two-game sweeps. Below are some of the major storylines coming out of the first playoff round:
- Guardians def. Rays (decisive Game 2 went 15 innings): Cleveland PLAIN DEALER -- "Oscar Gonzalez delivers ‘wake-up call’ to Guardians fans with game-winning home run" ... TAMPA BAY TIMES -- "Until the last one, Rays made their pitches count"
- Phillies def. Cardinals: ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH -- "End of an era: Phillies shut out, sweep Cardinals and end last run for Molina and Pujols" ... PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER -- "Bring on the Braves: Phillies show they have World Series stuff with sweep of Cardinals"
- Mariners def. Blue Jays: TORONTO STAR -- "‘We were up 8-1.’ The roof caved in on the Jays. This is going to hurt for a long time" ... SEATTLE TIMES -- "Mariners fans embrace rally shoes as Seattle completes wild comeback to advance to ALDS"
Most Wild Card games to date have seen at- or near-capacity crowds. The exception was Game 1 at the Guardians' Progressive Field, which drew 30,741 (88% capacity) on Friday afternoon (SBJ).
