The Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets have established themselves as the dominant teams in the NL East as they near the midway point of the season. With both teams closely competing, the upcoming series could be a turning point for the Phillies, especially as they navigate crucial games without key players Bryce Harper and Aaron Nola.
Earlier in the season, the Phillies surged to a nine-game winning streak that allowed them to temporarily sit three games ahead in the division. However, a challenging recent stretch of 3-10 saw them fall five games behind the Mets. Fortunately, they’ve rebounded well, securing five victories in their last six contests against the Cubs and Blue Jays, narrowing the gap as they prepare to face the Mets for the second time this season.
Historically, the rivalry has seen significant fluctuations. For instance, on April 12, both teams were tied; by April 26, the Mets had surged to a five-game lead, but May saw the Phillies leap ahead once again.
This weekend’s three-game series in Philadelphia is critical as the two teams will not face each other again until late August. Both clubs have faced similarly challenging schedules ahead, with neither having a distinct advantage. However, the Phillies will benefit from playing the struggling Miami Marlins this week, allowing them a favorable setup before facing the Mets, who are currently contending with the formidable Atlanta Braves.
On the mound, the Phillies are expected to have Zack Wheeler pitch the opener against the Mets’ Tylor Megill, with Mick Abel and Jesús Luzardo slated for the remaining games. As the teams prepare for this important clash, the Mets hold a 2.5-game lead and are considered favorites to win the division, while the Phillies aim to bolster their impressive 21-10 record against weaker opponents.
The anticipation for the Monday night opener at 6:40 p.m. continues to grow, as fans look forward to witnessing the intensity of this rivalry and its potential impact on the division standings.