They are old rivals and division mates from the beginning, their disdain fueled by an equal amount of familiarity and intimacy, and their parks located just 196.5 miles apart, respectively. It’s full of excited supporters who are pumping their fists.
Until now, the Mets and Phillies were only summer enemies and strangers in October. But by the end of the week, they could very well be the new Yankees vs. Red Sox.
#OMG vs. #STFU.
Trea Turner watching the home run he hit in a September game is just one of the many big-name weapons the Mets will have to contend with. Eric Hartline Iman images
Grimace vs. Fanatic.
Hot and Got.
The Mets may be dreaming right now with the Milwaukee miracle in front of them, but reality is closing in on Philadelphia.
The Phillies are not the Brewers.
They were a team that exploded out of the gate, and despite a brief turmoil in July, they raced to the National League East championship and the second-best record in baseball, narrowly beaten by the Dodgers.
The team, expertly put together by renowned architect Dave Dombrowski, made it to the World Series two years ago, lost seven games to Arizona in the NLCS last year, and failed to make a comeback only to be tested in October. withstand
They have a batting lineup, a strong rotation, and an even better bullpen.
They have embraced the bright lights and are hooked on the ring after coming so close over the past two years.
General manager Dave Domrowski turned the Phillies into perennial World Series favorites. Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
Don’t be fooled by the fact that the Mets only lost the season series, 7-6.
Three of the Mets’ wins have come against the Phillies’ No. 5 starter on the gas can, and they don’t need a No. 5 starter in October.
“On paper, it’s a complete mismatch,” said one National League scout. “The Mets don’t have a chance.”
This week we learn whether magic is real or not. Introducing the Fightin’ Phillies.
The Brutes on Broad Street
The Phils, who are good at hitting, throw Kyle Schwarber, a left-handed Hulkster, from the top of the lineup to the top of the lineup, as opposed to the traditional leadoff hitter.
It used to be controversial, but even the purists can’t complain about the bases being loaded, especially since the team has had such success with first-time starting spirit animal Schwabom. Schwerbom set a major league record with 15 leadoff home runs this season, his last coming on September 25th. No. 21, 0-1, with a sinker from Mets left-hander Sean Manaea.
Kyle Schwarber set a major league record with 15 home runs by a leadoff batter this season. AP
In fact, since Schwarber joined the Phils in 2022, the Phils are 83-36 when he hits a home run in a game.
The 2023 season ended in disappointment, with second-choice player Trea Turner coming close to being MVP this season, but he still had an incredibly strong performance.
Sandwiched between Schwarber and superstar Bryce Harper, Turner has a deadly combination of speed and pop that will be key to navigating this lineup.
Harper hit 30 bombs this season, but that was due to an extended power outage from Aug. 10 to Sept. 13, during which he had zero home runs in 30 games.
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A week off should ease any lingering elbow pain, but conditions remain dangerous, especially in October.
Harper started the group’s postseason magic with a home run off a raindrop off Robert Suarez, the Padres’ fireball reliever who sent the Phillies to the World Series two years ago.
However, the Phillies’ right-handed hitting trio of catcher JT Realmuto, outfielder Nick Castellanos and third baseman Alec Bohm could very well be key against the Mets’ left-handed rotation.
Castellanos would hit cleanup. Although he is weak against breaking balls on the road, he has always shown patience at the plate.
This would allow the young Boehm, whose biggest talent is plate coverage, to bat at No. 5 and allow Realmuto to provide some clutch balance in the six-hole lineup. Realmuto is one of the most skilled defensive catchers in the game, but he is finally healthy again after an injury-plagued season.
Bryce Harper was once again the mainstay of the Phillies’ batting lineup. AP
The bottom third is the weakest part of the Phillies lineup.
After two promising years, second baseman Bryson Stott has struggled, especially against left-handed hitters.
He will likely face the Mets’ left-handed pitcher in place of Edmundo Sosa.
Similarly, young, long-bearded Brandon Marsh will be platooned with right-handed hitter Austin Hayes, acquired at the deadline from Baltimore.
The Phils will likely choose their best defense with light hitter Johan Rojas in center field.
rotate
Of all the disastrous pitching decisions the Mets have made in recent years, by far the worst was giving up on Zack Wheeler, who blossomed into a true ace.
Phillies ace Zack Wheeler has become one of baseball’s top pitchers since leaving the Mets. Bill Streicher Iman images
“He’s turned into a real horse,” said Scout. “He reminds me of Roy Halladay. He’s big and strong. He throws fastballs wherever he wants, inside and out. And that ball has the weight of a bowling ball. You can’t barrel up.”
Wheeler allowed just 139 hits in 200 innings this season, striking out 224 on a .96 batting average.
Thompson chose to throw young left-hander Christopher Sanchez in Sunday’s second game. Sanchez, who has much better splits at home, has blossomed into a promising starter. He consistently increased his velocity to 96-97 mph and developed a great changeup.
“His fastball and changeup come out of the same tunnel,” the scout said. “He really throws hitters off balance.”
Aaron Nola, a veteran with solid innings, will pitch in Game 3 in New York.
He is no stranger to the Mets, who have faced him 28 times in his career. He has a 10-9 record and a 3.46.
His hero Pete Alonso had the most success hitting five home runs against him.
If Nola has a weakness, it’s his tendency to abandon long balls. This year, he gave up 30 runs in 197 innings.
pen
This is where the Phillies could become very dangerous, especially with the loan acquisition of closer Carlos Estevez from the Angels.
The Phillies acquired closer Carlos Estevez at the trade deadline, giving their bullpen a boost. Getty Images
They have five legitimate hands to throw in on the back end with All-Stars Jeff Hoffman and Orion Kirkeling from the right side, and evil left-handers Jose Alvarado and Matt Stram, another All-Star.
“The Phillies have the best bullpen in baseball, maybe outside of the Padres,” the scout said. “They have so many options late in the game, and the bonus is that the starters can get deep into the game. You know Wheeler is itching to get back (to the Mets). .”
red october
What makes the Phillies even more formidable is their home field advantage at Citizens Bank Park. This frenetic place quickly became a frenetic place unlike any other in Philadelphia, which is usually overhyped, including the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field.
Alex Rodriguez first fell in love with banking while working for Fox during the World Series two years ago.
“Philly really has a 10th man advantage,” he said Friday.
Former Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said, “The noise is like being swallowed up by an ocean wave.”
Alumnus Anthony L. Gargano is a content creator for PHLY, a Philadelphia-based ALLCITY Networks.
