The Phillies-Mets rivalry is quickly heating up. After the 2024 NLDS, and what will be a tight finish for the NL East, it is safe to say the rivalry is the best it has been in years. Although this year, the Mets have their number. So far, the Mets are 7-2 against the Phillies with one more series to go in just under two weeks at Citizens Bank Park. The even more interesting part is that we could potentially see these two teams meet in the postseason for the second straight year.
Game 1: Mets Beatdown
The first game of the series was absolutely brutal for the Philadelphia Phillies. Things started with a leadoff triple by Trea Turner, which led to a quick 1-0 lead, expanding it to 3-0 in the 3rd inning courtesy of Alec Bohm’s two-run single. Over the next 5 innings, the Mets would go on to score 13 unanswered runs, with Luis Torrens responsible for 5 of them.
Phillies Starting Pitcher Cristopher Sanchez struggled in this one, giving up 5 earned runs, and 7 combined runs between Jordan Romano and Joe Ross. As for the Mets, it was about as clean a game as you could have asked for. Kodai Senga was only able to get through 4 innings, but the bullpen came in and slammed the door. Jose Castillo, Trevor Rogers, Brooks Raley, Ryan Helsley, and Ryne Stanek didn’t allow a single run.
Game 2: Phillies Implode
It was scoreless through 4 innings, with Bryce Harper getting the Phillies on the board with a 2-run single in the 5th inning. Jesus Luzardo got himself into a bases-loaded jam, and Orion Kerkering couldn’t get the job done, allowing 5 runs, giving the Mets breathing room. Edmundo Sosa reached on an infield single in the 6th inning, and then Harrison Bader hit a game-tying two-run home run in the 8th inning.
Edwin Diaz shut the Phillies down in order, and then came Jhoan Duran. Duran has been electric for Philadelphia this season, but the Mets came out swinging. They put together four straight singles to load the bases, and then Brandon Nimmo drove in the winning run, and the Mets would win this game by a final score of 6-5. What was a nightmare at Citi Field continued for the “Fightin Phils,” as that marked their ninth straight loss in Queens.
Game 3: Will The Real Phillies Stand Up?
The Phillies needed to come out firing to try to salvage what was an abysmal series, but the opposite happened. Nolan McLean, who has seemed to inject life into the Mets ever since he was called up, absolutely shut them down. He went 8 shutout innings, allowing just 4 hits, and struck out 6 batters. In three starts so far, McLean has a .089 ERA.
Philly looked exactly like they did in the 2024 NLDS. The bats were nowhere to be found, and as soon as they fell behind, they were lifeless and looked like they just wanted to go home. In what was one of the most important series in the entire season, they couldn’t have played worse. There is definite concern for the Phillies, as they have now lost 10 straight games at Citi Field, showing that they are the same team from previous seasons.
Final Thoughts
As far as playoff implications are concerned, things are just starting to heat up. The Mets have pulled within four games of the lead, and will look to continue the momentum with top prospect Jonah Tong making his MLB debut tomorrow against the Marlins. As for the Phillies, they need to take care of business against the Atlanta Braves and get back on track quickly. If the Los Angeles Dodgers win tonight, the Phillies will officially be in a Wild Card position and would take on their division rivals in a three-game series.
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