The NL East’s two leading squads square off in Queens this week, with the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets both riding strong starts into some nationally televised rivalry ball. This series has a lot to offer: a few of the sport’s hottest hitters, top payrolls buoyed by generational names, and pumped-up fan bases with decades of shared beef.
How to watch Philadelphia Phillies at New York Mets
Viewing guide
| Time (ET) | TV | Stream | Probables |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Mon. 7:10 p.m. |
Aaron Nola |
||
|
Tues. 7:10 p.m. |
TBS |
Cristopher Sanchez |
|
|
Wed. 1:10 p.m. |
MLBN |
Zack Wheeler |
The hosts open this series atop the division and winners of four straight after sweeping St. Louis. On Friday night, Francisco Lindor mashed his first walk-off home run in blue and orange. It was the 250th round-tripper of his career (he’s up to 251 after Sunday), and it’s an early nominee for MLB moment of the year. There will be plenty of other game-winners at equal or higher stakes, but this right here could power the tri-state:
Lindor and Juan Soto each start the week with three homers. Pete Alonso has lapped them with six. The 30-year-old Mets lifer has been automatic in the box thus far, leading his team (through 22 games) in homers, hits, RBI, total bases, OBP and slugging. Offense isn’t even the headliner for New York right now, as it boasts the best ERA in baseball at 2.35 (second-rated San Diego is at 2.74, and no other team is below 3.10).
Righty Tylor Megill gets the opening look on Monday night. He allowed two earned runs to Minnesota across eight hits and five innings last time out, but gave up just one score in his first three combined starts. Fellow righty Griffin Canning is coming off his best game in Mets threads: six innings, one earned, eight strikeouts to two walks against the Cardinals. Southpaw David Peterson is Wednesday’s probable, serving a tough sinker to close out this series.
Philadelphia will meet the Mets with its best arms in tow. Longtime ace Aaron Nola is bidding for his sixth 200-K season (he had 197 in 2024). Lefty Cristopher Sánchez struck out 12 Giants in his previous outing, and he has one of the top chase rates through four starts. Then it’s Zack Wheeler, the two-time All-Star and twice runner-up for Cy Young, who started his pro career with the Mets. Wheeler posted a 3.77 ERA in five Flushing campaigns. He’s down to 2.97 in six years with the Phillies.
Though still warming up and rounding into form, Bryce Harper and friends begin the series as a top-10 scoring offense (4.68 runs per game, tied with St. Louis). Harper (five homers) and Kyle Schwarber (a club-high seven) both sport OBPs north of .400. Four Phillies have at least four steals in the early going. Trea Turner (six swipes in 20 games) looks rejuvenated after last year was washed out by a hamstring strain.
Most homers in both jerseys: Bobby Abreu (195 PHI, 1 NYM)
Most wins in both jerseys: Jerry Koosman (140 NYM, 20 PHI)
NL East winner odds
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(Photo of Pete Alonso: Sarah Stier / Getty Images)