The entire stretch has been happily surreal, from the prominent involvement of Grimace and a Latin pop star/utility infielder to a months-long playoff push that resulted in the Amazins clinching a Wild Card spot in Atlanta a day after the regular season was supposed to end.

The Mets played to plenty of contact on this night, but Alonso’s fifth-inning homer provided firepower in a 9-3 victory over the Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Alonso launched a two-run, go-ahead blast in helping the Mets win their ninth straight game against the Cardinals dating to last season.

Through the first month of the season, no one in the National League is hitting like Pete Alonso. The New York Mets slugger has set a career-best pace and has led the way in his team's ascent to the top of the standings.