Mets' Pete Alonso compares WBC to MLB playoffs

New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso has compared representing Team USA in the ongoing World Baseball Classic to featuring for his club in last fall's postseason tournament. 

"My first playoff experience was this past season," Alonso said, per Jesse Rogers of ESPN. "It was only three games and it was a short-lived playoff experience. And after we were done, the feeling I came back with was, 'Man, I want more of this.' Because that playoff baseball feeling, it's addictive. And I want to put myself in every opportunity to be in those high-pressure, high-leverage situations. I mean, pressure is a privilege."

Alonso and the Mets enjoyed a 10.5-game lead over the Atlanta Braves in the National League East division standings on June 1, 2022, before the Braves became red-hot and earned the division crown in October. New York never fully recovered from the shock and lost two of three home wild-card playoff contests against the San Diego Padres to fall well short of the unspoken goal of at least representing the NL in the World Series. 

While speaking earlier this week, Mets ace Max Scherzer explained why the World Baseball Classic occurring before the season makes it difficult for some veteran pitchers to participate in the event without risking a serious injury. Alonso indicated the overall environment associated with WBC games held in March may help him better prepare for the grueling MLB campaign. 

"To be able to feel that right off the rip and during a normal spring training time, it's a rare opportunity, especially with this team," Alonso added during his comments. "It's an extremely rare opportunity. And hopefully, I can learn from this experience and just continue to chase those feelings."

ESPN's Dan Mullen noted that the United States will qualify for the WBC quarterfinals with a win over Colombia on Wednesday night. However, Team USA could land in an uncomfortable tiebreaker scenario if it doesn't take care of its own business. 

It sounds like that's the exact playoff situation Alonso wants to embrace before the "World-Series-or-bust" Mets start to play meaningful games this spring.