In a season that’s asked everything from its youngest arms and its cornerstone bats, New York put it all together Thursday in an 8–5 win over the Cubs at Wrigley Field, taking the series and heading into Miami with their postseason hopes still intact.

The spotlight belonged to Nolan McLean. The rookie right-hander, thrown into the fire with the Mets’ season on the line, delivered the best performance of his career at this level.

 

Armed with a sweeper and curveball that darted out of sight, McLean struck out 11 batters over 5.1 innings—the most by any Mets pitcher this year.

 

He gave up five runs, three via the long ball, and was left in one batter too long, but the electricity was undeniable. For a team clawing for every inch in the wild-card race, his presence feels bigger than his box score.

Career-high 11 strikeouts for @nolanmclean11 🔥 pic.twitter.com/VcZXnO1u5Z

— New York Mets (@Mets) September 26, 2025

 

Still, his presence was electric, his poise beyond his years. His storyline is indicative of what the Mets are building, and why their fight doesn’t feel finished.

Everyone Say Thank You, Dansby

The offense set the tone right away, thanks in part to the rulebook. Francisco Lindor drew a leadoff walk in the first, and after Pete Alonso doubled him to third, Mark Vientos popped a ball into foul territory on the third-base side. Dansby Swanson made the grab but tumbled into the stands, automatically awarding Lindor home.

It wasn’t flashy, but it was opportunistic—one of those breaks it seems like the Mets never get. Brandon Nimmo followed with an RBI single to push the lead to 2–0.

The Mets get the first run of the game as Francisco Lindor scores after Dansby Swanson falls into the stands catching Mark Vientos’ foul ball.

Runners are awarded one base when a fielder leaves the field of play. pic.twitter.com/XaCezwrhZE

— SNY (@SNYtv) September 25, 2025

 

Lindor made sure the next run needed no explanation, knocking a fastball 408 feet to left field in the third inning for his 30th home run of the year. The swing was more than a milestone; it was a historic moment.

CRUSHED. 30/30!@Lindor12BC | #LGM pic.twitter.com/MxzU4FhOES

— New York Mets (@Mets) September 26, 2025

 

Lindor rejoined the 30/30 club for the second time in his career, pairing with Juan Soto as just the third set of teammates in MLB history to reach the mark in the same season. Add Pete Alonso’s 30+ homers, and the Mets now boast three sluggers with 30 or more for the first time in franchise history.

Only three pairs of teammates have ever joined the 30/30 Club in the same season…

And two of them have repped the Orange and Blue 🤯 (via @MLB) pic.twitter.com/8zENqE8HYB

— New York Mets (@Mets) September 26, 2025

Lindor joined Soto and Alonso with 30 homers last night, making it the first trio in Mets history to do that in a season. Listen to today’s Meet at the Apple, presented by @PCRichardandSon.

🍎👉 https://t.co/SoznXlDgAp
🟢👉 https://t.co/kIE0oJJefG
🎥👉 https://t.co/dFPdpQFTJH pic.twitter.com/AjQT2crm2g

— New York Mets (@Mets) September 26, 2025

 

Then came Brett Baty’s breakthrough. Handed the start against lefty Shota Imanaga, the 25-year-old rewarded the decision with one of his defining moments of 2025.

 

In the fourth inning, he crushed a three-run homer to straightaway center, his 18th of the season, and earlier flashed the glove with a barehanded play to help McLean through the third.

 

That swing was a defining moment that will etch Baty’s name as the franchise’s third baseman for years to come.

Ohhhh Baty 🤩 pic.twitter.com/jpv3T2sThh

— New York Mets (@Mets) September 26, 2025

 

YEAH BRETT! pic.twitter.com/v5Enq0p7yC

— New York Mets (@Mets) September 26, 2025

 

 

And when the Cubs tried to claw back, Tyrone Taylor delivered the dagger. With two outs in the sixth, he ripped a two-run double into the gap, restoring the Mets’ cushion.

 

After a stint on the injured list, Taylor’s clutchness underscored how valuable his presence is, not only by making full-out grabs in center field, but with his bat in the bottom of the lineup.

TT! pic.twitter.com/ltc9qlVVK7

— New York Mets (@Mets) September 26, 2025

 

From there, the bullpen was airtight. Ryne Stanek stemmed the tide in the sixth. Brooks Raley followed with three strikeouts in a flawless frame. Tyler Rogers faced his twin brother in the eighth and won the duel, and Edwin Díaz closed with his (now) signature calm in the ninth. Eleven outs, no runs, one collective exhale from a team that’s lived on the edge for weeks.

3️⃣⬆️3️⃣⬇️

Brooks Raley 👏 pic.twitter.com/1PJ4G3m3tC

— New York Mets (@Mets) September 26, 2025

 

Following Thursday night’s win, New York sits 1.0 games ahead of the Cincinnati Reds for the third Wild Card spot. This didn’t just secure the series; it showed the shape of a team still alive, still dangerous, still unwilling to fold.

With three games left in Miami before final October decisions are made, the Mets have built a little momentum and stitched together some belief from top to bottom.

Francisco Lindor was asked about reaching 30 home runs alongside his teammates:

“Soto is one of the top 3 players in the game. You have Pete Alonso, Pete’s one of the best power hitters in the game. I’m blessed to be around good teammates and people that are elite” pic.twitter.com/m5kI8k1w4K

— SNY (@SNYtv) September 26, 2025

 

 

In Chicago, the Mets showed they’re still in the fight.