Jose Quintana pitched 11 innings in two contested games this postseason, allowing zero earned runs.
The Mets couldn't ask for more from a would-be free agent who is pitching like he didn't want this season to end, and they're making sure of that.
Quintana was once again spectacular, holding the Phillies to one unearned run in five innings in a 4-1 Game 4 win at Citi Field that propelled the Mets to the National League CS for the first time since 2015.
The veteran left-hander posted an ERA of 5 in mid-June and has since recovered, but was still the Mets' fourth-most trusted starter going into September.
He then allowed two runs in 25 innings that month, which helped break up the postseason rotation that had contributed to his saves.
After pitching six scoreless innings in Game 3 in Milwaukee, Quintana defended five frames or more on Wednesday, holding off a powerful Phillies offense.
The match ended with a one-point difference, but Francisco Lindor's sixth-inning grand slam saved Quintana from being the unlucky loser.
The 35-year-old pitched five innings, allowing two hits, but was hurt by a double to Nick Castellanos, and a double to Bryce Harper in the sixth inning, but he missed the hit. However, it only ended due to Mark's misplay. Vientos.
His only real trouble came in a scoreless fourth game.
Quintana pitched well against Harper, who walked five pitches, and Castellanos' double put him in scoring position.
Alec Bohm hit a slow chopper to Vientos, who was playing at home, but the ball wavered and he couldn't get anyone into the play, giving the Phillies the lead.
But Quintana ensured that would be the only run the Phillies would get.
With runners in the corners, JT Realmuto popped out to shallow right field, and a lazy fly from Bryson Stott solved the problem.
Quintana mixed five pitches and pitched less than 93 miles per hour.
Changing speed, changing eye height, changing direction with his deep weapons, he kept the Phillies off balance and struck out six.
He pitched until the sixth inning, but allowed a double to Harper.
Reed Garrett and David Peterson combined to strike out Harper, Garrett struck out Castellanos and Realmuto, and Peterson ended the frame with Stott's groundout.
