Game Chat: Phillies vs. Mets, 7:15 P.M.

Sunday, September 22, 2024 • 7:15 PM
Citi Field • Flushing, NY
RHP Zack Wheeler (16-6, 2.56) vs. RHP Tylor Megill (4-5, 4.08)
ESPN

The New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies match up for the last time in the regular season tonight, with the Mets looking to take the four game series from the Phillies. It’s been a weekend that has seen the Mets score 10 runs in the series opener, the Phillies with a rout on Friday, and a close game Saturday afternoon.

The Phillies have their ace on the mound tonight trying to clinch the National League East. The Mets are looking to keep their breathing room in the NL wild card race heading into their three game series with the Braves.

Mets Lineup

1. Jose Iglesias, 2B
2. Brandon Nimmo, LF
3. Pete Alonso, 1B
4. Jesse Winker, DH
5. Starling Marte, RF
6. Francisco Álvarez, C
7. Mark Vientos, 3B
8. Tyrone Taylor, CF
9. Luisangel Acuña, SS

Tylor Megill makes his fifth start of the season tonight since rejoining the rotation after the Paul Blackburn injury. Over 14 games this season, he has pitched 68 1/3 innings with a 4.08 ERA, 3.46 FIP (career best), 1.259 WHIP, and a 97 ERA+ (also a career best). In his last four games, he’s had a 1.69 ERA, 2.09 FIP over 21 1/3 innings. In his last two starts he has allowed only one unearned run and three hits over 12 innings while striking out 13.

The Phillies have the following career numbers against Megill:

• Alec Bohm 2-7, 2B, K
• Nick Castellanos 1-7, 2B, K
• Bryce Harper 2-10, BB, 3 K
• Brandon Marsh 2-7, HR, 3 K
• J.T. Realmuto 4-12, 2B, HR, 6 K
• Johan Rojas 0-2
• Kyle Schwarber 1-7, 2B, 3 BB, K
• Edmundo Sosa 1-5, K
• Bryson Stott 0-8, 3 K
• Trea Turner 1-4, BB
• Weston Wilson 1-3, K

Phillies Lineup

1. Kyle Schwarber, DH
2. Trea Turner, SS
3. Bryce Harper, 1B
4. Alec Bohm, 3B
5. Nick Castellanos, RF
6. Bryson Stott, SS
7. J.T. Realmuto, C
8. Brandon Marsh, LF
9. Johan Rojas, CF

Zack Wheeler is wrapping up another dominant season, possibly the best of his career. Over 186 2/3 innings, he has a 2.56 ERA (career best), 3.14 FIP, 0.954 WHIP (career best and league leading), and a 158 ERA+ (career best). He’s also leading the league in hits per nine innings at 6.2 (also a career best).

Over his last four starts, he has allowed only four runs from 14 hits and four walks while striking out 29 batters over 26 innings. The Mets have and Wheeler are matching up for the first time in 2024 tonight. The Mets have the following career numbers against him:

• Pete Alonso 10-31, 2 2B, 2 BB, 6 K
• José Iglesias 3-8, 2B
• Francisco Lindor 8-29, 2B, 3B, HR, 6 K
• Starling Marte 7-20, 2B, 3B, BB, 3 K
• Brandon Nimmo 12-41, 3 2B, 3B, HR, BB, 7 K
• Tyrone Taylor 0-3, K
• Mark Vientos 1-3
• Jesse Winker 0-7, 2 BB

Game Notes

Prior to the game, manager Carlos Mendoza confirmed that pitcher Kodai Senga felt tricep tightness during his minor-league rehab start on Saturday. Mendoza confirmed he won’t pitch in the regular season.

Manager Carlos Mendoza indicated that Francisco Lindor may be back in the lineup Tuesday in Atlanta.

Three Things To Watch For

1. Pete Alonso. There is a possibility that Pete Alonso’s last home game as a Met happens tonight. Pete Alonso has been a home run hitting machine for the Mets, hitting 226 so far in his Mets career. He has four All-Star game appearances. While he’s having a down year, he still has a .808 OPS and 128 OPS+ (which is not actually his lowest career OPS+). Alonso has powered the 2022 Mets with a league-leading 131 RBIs Tonight the Mets are going to need a slugger in the lineup.
2. Iglesias and Acuña. The Mets have been carrying the team over the last week. Iglesias added to his hitting streak yesterday going 2-for-5 with a double. Over his last 15 games, he has gone 24-for-58 slashing .414/.443/.535. More recently, he’s been getting extra-base hits on top of just getting on base. Meanwhile, Acuña continued his meteoric rise on Saturday going 2-for-3 with a double and homer. He is hitting .385/.407/.885 over his first eight games of his career with six extra-base hits.
3. The Standings. The Atlanta Braves won today, meaning New York will have to win to retain a 2.0 game lead over the Braves. Meanwhile, the Diamondbacks lost, meaning they’ll stay a game ahead of New York if the Mets lose Sunday. If New York wins, they’ll be tied with Arizona and own the tiebreaker.

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