Reverse it — Series Preview: Phillies-Mets, September 19-22

On the second to last game of the 2016 season, the 70-91 Phillies hosted the reigning National League champion Mets, who were one win away from clinching the postseason.

In the bottom of the fifth, Ryan Howard hit a two-run home run to tie the game off of Bartolo Colon. It ended up being Howard’s final homer of his career.

An inning later, James Loney crushed a hanging breaking ball from David Hernandez to right field for a two-run home run, giving the Mets a 4-2 lead. They ended up winning it 5-3, with Phillies legend Jeurys Familia getting the save, to clinch the postseason, celebrating on the field at Citizens Bank Park.

The Phillies will have a chance to celebrate twice at Citi Field this weekend.

The Phils take on the NL East’s second-place, the Mets, for a four-game set in Queens this weekend.

Last time they met

The Mets came to CBP just last weekend, and Aaron Nola had a brutal opening to the three gamer. He allowed six runs in 4.1 innings in the 11-3 loss. Nola bounced back big time Wednesday night in Milwaukee.

Games 2 and 3 were much better. They got help from unexpected heroes as in Buddy Kennedy, Cal Stevenson, and even Taijuan Walker to win the series.

Bryce Harper had two homers in Game 2, Stevenson had a double in the seventh to take the lead, and Kennedy added insurance. Stevenson later robbed a home run from J.D. Martinez in right-center field. The Phillies got a bad start from Kolby Allard, but Walker came in and pitched three scoreless innings, which may have earned him a spot to start for the first time in three weeks on Thursday night in New York.

Game 3 was a pitcher’s dual, headlined for the Phillies by Cristopher Sanchez. It was Kennedy again who had a big hit, a game-tying double to left. J.T. Realmuto ended with a walk-off single in the ninth.

A rebound, and deterioration

Since that series loss, the Mets came back home, installed a seat for Grimace in the ballpark, and dominated the Nationals.

They scored 23 runs in that series, allowing just two.

A big part of their offense this week has been rookie shortstop Luisangel Acuna. Yes, Ronald Acuna Jr.‘s younger brother. Are you kidding? There is another one? In our division? This is ridiculous.

In two games against the Nats, Acuna went 5-for-8, scoring five runs, four RBIs, and two home runs.

Meanwhile, the Phillies’ offense is going in a different direction. They lost the series, 2-1, to the Brewers, who clinched the NL Central title Wednesday. The pitching was there, but the hitting was not. They scored four runs in the series, leaving 20 runners on base, and striking out 40 times. 40?! They had back-to-back 16 strikeout nights.

That is not going to do the trick if you ask me.

Clinching scenarios

Here we go.

The Phillies’ magic number to clinch the postseason is one. The only way they can accomplish that feat is with a win. So, it could come on Thursday night with Walker on the mound, or it could take until next week. But, hopefully, it will happen as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, the magic number to win the NL East is four. So all they need to do is win two games over the Mets. That is it. A split is all the Phillies need. The Phils have not won the NL East since 2011. They can change that this weekend.

Their magic number to clinch a first-round bye is seven games, and nine games to clinch the NL’s best record. That may also get them the best record in MLB, ensuring home-field for the entirety of the postseason.

Just remember when we have watched the Mets and all their loser fans celebrate in our building. We can reverse that this weekend, and there will be a lot of Phillies fans in the ballpark to witness it.

Here is Thursday night’s lineup:

DH Kyle Schwarber
SS Trea Turner
1B Bryce Harper
3B Alec Bohm
RF Nick Castellanos
2B Bryson Stott
C J.T. Realmuto
LF Brandon Marsh
CF Cal Stevenson

RHP Taijuan Walker

Game Times and Broadcasts

Thursday, September 19, 7:15 p.m. ET, FOX, 94.1 WIP

Friday, September 20, 7:10 p.m. ET, Apple TV+, 94.1 WIP

Saturday, September 21, 4:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network (out of market only), NBC Sports Philadelphia, 94.1 WIP

Sunday, September 22, 7:15 p.m. ET, ESPN, 94.1 WIP

Probable Pitching Matchups

Game 1: Taijuan Walker (RHP, 3-6, 6.29 ERA) vs. Luis Severino (RHP, 10-6, 3.77 ERA)

Game 2: Cristopher Sanchez (LHP, 10-9, 3.24 ERA) vs. David Peterson (LHP, 9-2, 2.85 ERA)

Game 3: Ranger Suarez (LHP, 12-7, 3.13 ERA) vs. Sean Manaea (LHP, 11-5, 3.26 ERA)

Game 4: Zack Wheeler (RHP, 16-6, 2.56 ERA) vs. TBD

By the Numbers

• Records
• Phillies: 91-61
• Mets: 84-68

• Run Differential
• Phillies: 118
• Mets: 84

• Runs Scored Per Game
• Phillies: 4.82
• Mets: 4.80

• Runs Allowed Per Game
• Phillies: 4.05
• Mets: 4.25

---

Use code PHILLYSPORTSREPORT for $20 off your first SeatGeek order

Click here to save 10% on any order at FOCO