Mets vs. Phillies: Game 2 Preview
New York will look to keep its momentum going from the past week in Game 2 on Sunday at Citizens Bank Park, while Philadelphia aims to even the series before it shifts to Citi Field. Though the Phillies were nearly unbeatable at home during their 2022 postseason run and to start their ‘23 run, they have now lost three straight home playoff games dating to the ‘23 NL Championship Series against the D-backs.
“We know we’re good, and we’ve got good players,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said after Game 1. “And we are executing, you know. So we just continue to grind at-bats, continue to take it one pitch, one at-bat at a time, and good things will happen.”
“I mean, wash it off in the shower, come back with a new attitude, ready to win the day,” outfielder Nick Castellanos said.
Game Details
When is the game and how can I watch it?
Game 2 will be played at 4:08 p.m. ET on Sunday at Citizens Bank Park. It will be televised on FS1. All games are available in the U.S. on MLB.TV (authentication to a participating Pay TV provider is required).
Who are the starting pitchers?
Mets: RHP Luis Severino (11-7, 3.91 ERA)
Severino will be facing the Phillies for the third time in his past five starts when he takes the hill. The righty made back-to-back starts against Philadelphia in mid-September, allowing three runs over six innings in each of those outings. Severino went 4-1 with a 3.17 ERA over his final eight regular-season starts before earning the win in Game 1 of the Mets’ NL Wild Card Series victory over the Brewers. Overall, the 30-year-old Severino has a 5.07 ERA in 12 career postseason appearances (11 starts) between the Yankees and Mets.
Phillies: LHP Cristopher Sánchez (11-9, 3.32 ERA)
It’s Sánchez, not veteran Aaron Nola, getting the start in Game 2. And while Sánchez has certainly pitched well enough to earn the nod, this decision essentially came down to the left-hander’s jarring home/road splits this season. A first-time All-Star, the 27-year-old Sánchez went 7-3 with a 2.21 ERA in 17 home starts, compared to just 4-6 with a 5.02 ERA in 14 outings away from Citizens Bank Park. In three starts against the Mets this season, he went 1-0 with a 3.06 ERA — but he struck out seven over seven innings of one-run ball in his lone home start against New York on Sept. 15.
What are the starting lineups?
Martinez drew the start at DH against a left-handed pitcher in Sánchez, and Bader gets his first start of the postseason in center field over Tyrone Taylor. Bader went 2-for-6 with two walks against Sánchez this season.
Sosa got the start at third over Alec Bohm, who went 0-for-4 in Game 1 after an 8-for-47 final two weeks of the regular season upon returning from the injured list with a hand strain.
How will the bullpens line up after the starter?
Mets: Closer Edwin Díaz warmed up but did not pitch in Game 1. That means he’ll now have had two days of rest since throwing 39 pitches in Wild Card Series Game 3. That’s important, because Reed Garrett will likely be down after throwing two innings Saturday, and the Mets probably won’t have setup men Phil Maton and Ryne Stanek for more than an inning apiece.
Phillies: Though the Phillies’ bullpen didn’t get the job done in Game 1, the silver lining is that none of their high-leverage guys threw enough pitches to be off limits for Game 2. Jeff Hoffman (13 pitches) and Matt Strahm (17 pitches) were uncharacteristically knocked around in a disastrous eighth inning, but both were lifted after facing only three batters. Orion Kerkering needed only eight pitches to navigate his three batters to finish off the frame, and all of them should once again be available, along with José Alvarado, to help bridge the gap to closer Carlos Estévez.
Any injuries of note?
Mets: Jeff McNeil, who has been sidelined since Sept. 6 due to a fractured right wrist, is expected to rejoin the club on Sunday morning in Philadelphia, where the Mets hope he’ll be able to ramp up baseball activities after meeting with trainers to gauge his progress. Although it’s unlikely that McNeil could return in time for a potential NL Championship Series, Mendoza isn’t ruling that out.
Phillies: Right-hander Spencer Turnbull has not pitched since late June because of a strained right lat that kept him off the NLDS roster. His recovery has been slow, but he has been on the mound the past few weeks, and there is a chance he could pitch in the postseason if the Phillies advance.
Who is hot and who is not?
Mets: Nimmo hasn’t exactly been on fire this postseason, but he has at least one hit in every game, including a crucial single in Wild Card Game 3 and the go-ahead RBI knock in NLDS Game 1. If he gets hot, he could carry the Mets for a while. Keep an eye also on Alonso, who has done little this postseason outside of his home run in Wild Card Game 3.
Phillies: Schwarber had a 1.012 OPS the final month of the season and promptly went deep in his first at-bat in Game 1 for his MLB-record fifth career postseason leadoff homer. Harper had a .937 OPS in the final month, while Castellanos had an .858 OPS. Stott has struggled, posting a .623 OPS in the final month, which was down from his season mark (.671 OPS).
Join the Discussion
What are your thoughts on the Mets’ chances in Game 2? Do you think the Phillies will bounce back? Share your opinions in the comments below!