It all began innocently enough Thursday night, in the top of the ninth inning between the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies. The Mets, trailing 7-1 in a game seemingly lost, got an infield single from Starling Marte to open the inning. A nice effort, sure, but something to worry about in the MLB betting market?
Well, suffice it to say that Marte got to bat again in the top of the ninth. So you know a Bad Beat is coming now.
Props.com goes through the Mets’ huge ninth inning as they overcame massive in-game odds on the MLB betting board.
From +6000 To Victory
Yes, that’s correct. Caesars Sportsbook noted that the Mets’ live moneyline Thursday night reached +6000, before the improbable ninth-inning comeback.
But those 60/1 odds didn’t last long. And in case you’re wondering, as you should be, Philadelphia’s moneyline price to win at that point was an astronomical -200,000 in Caesars’ MLB betting market.
WHAT A COMEBACK! 🤯
After being down 7-1 in the 9th, the @Mets edge the Phillies, 8-7!
The Live ML was as high as 60/1 👀pic.twitter.com/P3XtmVw5rf
— Caesars Sportsbook (@CaesarsSports) May 6, 2022
After Marte’s infield single, Francisco Lindor hit a two-run bomb to cut the Phillies’ lead to 7-3. Then Pete Alonso cracked a double to left, making things even more uncomfortable for Philadelphia moneyline backers.
Philly reliever James Norwood stemmed the bleeding by inducing an Eduardo Escobar lineout to second base. But New York’s Jeff McNeil followed with a single to right, putting runners on the corners and ending Norwood’s night.
Pitching Change, To No Avail
On came Phillies reliever Corey Knebel, who promptly had to field what became another infield single, this one from Mark Canha. Alonso scored to make it 7-4, but Knebel then struck out Dominic Smith for the second out of the inning.
With runners on first and second, pinch-hitter J.D. Davis doubled to deep left, plating McNeil and sending Canha to third, while cutting the Phillies’ lead to 7-5. Travis Jankowski came in to pinch-run for Davis, and the Phillies decided to let Knebel ride it out, for better or worse.
It was for worse. Brandon Nimmo — the Mets’ ninth batter of the inning — singled to center, scoring Canha and Jankowski to tie the game at 7.
Then up stepped Marte once again, and he doubled to deep center to bring in Nimmo and put New York up 8-7. Lindor then grounded out to Knebel, mercifully ending the top half of the inning for the Phillies.
Finishing It Off
Mets bettors surely had to be delirious midway through the ninth inning, particularly those who jumped on in-game just prior to the rally (or soon after it started). Meanwhile, Phillies backers had to wonder whether their team would have some fight, or go gently into that good night.
Philly did the latter, and in short order. Roman Quinn led off by striking out, J.T. Realmuto followed with a groundout to second, and Rhys Hoskins struck out to end it.
One New York backer at FanDuel Sportsbook didn’t get the best of the odds, but still did all right on a $30 in-game flier.
WHAT A LIVE BET ‼️
The Mets' MIRACLE comeback helped this bettor turn $30 into $474 🤑
via @Producer__Mark | #FanDuelNY pic.twitter.com/fLHucO3OKF
— FanDuel Sportsbook (@FDSportsbook) May 6, 2022
It was indeed a miracle, particularly for the Mets. ESPN Stats & Info reported that over the last 25 seasons, New York entered the ninth inning trailing by six or more runs 330 times. The Mets’ record in those games: 0-330.
Make that 1-330. And a Yankees fan is apparently now getting a Mets tattoo. But, presuming those tickets are legit, the bettor made out quite well with a $250 live bet at Mets +3400.
If the Mets win I’m getting a Mets tattoo. I’m a Yankees fan. 🤣 pic.twitter.com/fSDza2veaQ
— Devin’s Bookie (@DevinsBookie) May 6, 2022
