What drama awaits in the first-ever Phillies-Mets playoff series? – NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Phillies and Mets have coexisted for 63 seasons without ever meeting in the playoffs.

That will change with another Mets win against the Brewers this week.

Despite the quick turnaround as they had to board a plane to Milwaukee after a doubleheader in Atlanta on Monday night, the Mets won 8-4 after overcoming multiple two-run deficits.

The Mets have been on the road since Sept. 22, when they earned a series win over the Phillies at Citi Field. They flew to Atlanta that night, two of three games were postponed by Hurricane Helene, they left for their final regular season series in Milwaukee, lost two of three games, flew back to Atlanta for the make-up doubleheader and then back to Milwaukee for the Wildcard series.

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In some ways, it’s reminiscent of the extraordinarily long road the Phillies have taken to end 2022: They ended the regular season with a three-city trip to Chicago, Washington and Houston, then began the playoffs with four road games. The Phils were on the road from September 25th to October 12th that year, but you wouldn’t have known it based on how they raced through the playoffs all the way to the World Series.

Every team in this National League playoff field is dangerous, except perhaps the Braves, who are plagued by injuries, running at full speed and have lost their biggest remaining advantage in Chris Sale until he can return to the playoffs.

But the Mets, Brewers, Dodgers and Padres are all capable of beating the Phillies, which should make for a challenging and exciting postseason.

However, keep in mind that the Phillies’ last two NLDS matchups didn’t look like a walk in the park. The 2023 Braves won 104 games, then lost three of four to the Phillies and went home. The 2022 Braves won 101 games, then lost three of four to the Phillies and went home.

On the one hand, the Phils have dominated the NLDS two years in a row over a team that the baseball world viewed as superior. On the other hand, it’s a reminder that anything can happen in a five-game series, making the final five months meaningless except for the home-field advantage they provide.

The Phillies won the season series against the Mets 7-6, with the Mets winning three of the last four games. Zack Wheeler was on the losing end of the last meeting at Citi Field, 2-1, Aaron Nola didn’t throw a pitch in the series, Ranger Suarez allowed two home runs over five innings to start, and Cristopher Sanchez hit five home runs in the Phillies’ lone Victory.

The Mets offense can hurt you in a number of ways. They have the power with Pete Alonso, Francisco Lindor, Mark Vientos and the platoon of Jesse Winker and JD Martinez. All four will count and Brandon Nimmo is even pickier. Jose Iglesias has been the Mets’ catalyst since June, hitting .337 and sparking a rally with his hustle on Tuesday night.

This time of year it’s important to find different ways to run. You’re not facing bad teams, you’re not facing their weakest reserves, and you should be better able to take walks, string together shots, and make some things happen with your legs. The Mets can do all of that, and there is no intimidation factor since they play the Phillies so frequently.

It would obviously benefit the Phillies if the Brewers tied the wild-card series on Wednesday night, forcing both teams to use a different starting pitcher on Thursday and straining their bullpens in a crucial Game 3. When the series ends on Wednesday, the Mets will have two full days off to recover before the NLDS. A halving for both teams would be a long shot.

Frankie Montas will play for Milwaukee and left-hander Sean Manaea will play for New York in Game 2. Neither team has listed their likely starter for Game 3 if it comes to that.

The pitchers who started Games 1 and 2 of the Wild Card Series – Luis Severino, Freddy Peralta, Manaea and Montas – are all not expected to appear in the NLDS until Game 2. The first game is on Saturday at 4:08 p.m. and even Severino and Peralta would take a short break. They would rest regularly for Game 2 on Sunday, also at 4:08 p.m

If the Mets advance, they could turn to lefty David Peterson to start the NLDS. He was a big reason they made the playoffs, going 5-2 with a 2.41 ERA in his last 11 starts.

The Brewers’ starting lineup consists entirely of right-handers with Peralta, Montas, Tobias Myers, Aaron Civale and Colin Rea. Given the presence of Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper, Milwaukee could start multiple games in the NLDS if they get past the Mets.

The matchup could determine the Phillies’ rotation. The Mets are right-handed with Alonso, Vientos, Martinez, Iglesias, Tyrone Taylor and Francisco Alvarez. The switch-hitting Lindor has been slightly worse against right-handers in his career. This is where left-handers Nimmo and Winker become so important for them. Winker had a brutal month in September, going 3-for-42, but his two-run triple was one of the biggest hits of Tuesday’s win.

With so many righty players to worry about in the game against the Mets, the Phils could opt to start Nola instead of Sanchez in Game 2. That wouldn’t sound surprising at first glance, but Sanchez has outpaced Nola over the past two months and has a significantly lower ERA at home (2.21) – where Game 2 would be – than on the road (5.02).

There are two days of rest built into the NLDS: Monday, after Game 2, and Thursday, after Game 4. This allows the Phillies to start Wheeler in Game 1 and then pitch him again in Game 4 on one less day of rest if they choose it like that. Alternatively, they could save him for a vital Game 5 on an extra day of rest.

Many decisions and outcomes will be made before this decision is made, but aside from rest and playing at home, it is the most important advantage the Phillies carry with them into the playoffs. You can design your rotation exactly how you want; Your opponent can’t.

The Phillies will play an intrasquad game Wednesday afternoon at Citizens Bank Park. Spencer Turnbull, who has been out since the last week of June with a lat strain, is one of several pitchers who will appear in the game and it is his opportunity to show the coaching staff and front office that he is healthy enough to make the final to secure bullpen spot in the NLDS roster. Kolby Allard, Tyler Gilbert and Max Lazar are also candidates for the job.

At 7:38 p.m., Rob Thomson will sit in front of his television and see if the drama of a Phillies-Mets NLDS awaits or if the Brewers can help the cause.