Series Preview: Phillies look to keep rolling host the pathetic New York Mets in 4-game series at Citizens Bank Park

The Philadelphia Phillies won a thriller against the Atlanta Braves yesterday afternoon, winning 6-5 in extra innings. Nick Castellanos shined defensively and at the plate, crushing two home runs in the win. 

On the mound, Aaron Nola battled through six innings of work, allowing six hits and just two earned runs while striking out eight. That is the Aaron Nola the Phillies desperately need from here on out. Yesterday was a step in the right direction and for the love of God and all things holy, let’s hope it continues into October.

Bryson Stott was ultimately the hero in yesterday’s finale against the Braves. The Phillies second baseman laced a double to left field to score two runs in the top of the 10th inning, handing the Phillies a series win against the Braves.

BRYSON STOTT. CLUTCH. 🔔 #RingTheBell | #Phillies pic.twitter.com/8BBkDK2umQ

— The Liberty Line (@LibertyLinePHL) September 20, 2023

[Red] October is Coming…

The Phillies lost the season series against the Atlanta Braves 8-5, but if you remember how close some of those games were and how easily the Phillies could have walked away with at least three wins, you know damn well that a potential matchup in the NLDS would be nothing short of incredible.

Of course, there are still 10 games left in the regular season. The Phillies magic number to clinch a playoff berth sits at 6 games, with the magic number to clinch the top NL Wild Card spot at 7 games.

The Fightins still hold a 2.5 game lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks for the top spot in the National League Wild Card, with the Cubs, Marlins, Reds, and Giants all fighting for what is currently the last ticket to the postseason.

Games Remaining: vs. NYM (4), vs. PIT (3), at NYM (3)

Starting Pitchers: Mets at Phillies

• David Peterson (3-8, 5.22 ERA) vs Ranger Suarez (3-6, 3.80 ERA)
• Tyler Megill (8-8, 4.94 ERA) vs Taijuan Walker (15-5, 4.40 ERA)
• Jose Quintana (3-5, 3.02 ERA) vs Zack Wheeler (12-6, 3.63 ERA)
• TBD vs TBD

Broadcast Notes: Tonight’s game against the New York Mets will air on Fox and Friday night’s game will stream exclusively on AppleTV+. The final two games of the seres will return to NBC Sports Philadelphia on Saturday and Sunday afternoon. 

Ranger Suarez: For All Things Holy

Ranger Suarez will take the bump tonight at Citizens Bank Park in game one of four against the New York Mets. Suarez has been fantastic since returning from injury, posting a 3.31 ERA.

Over his last six starts, Ranger’s ERA drops to an even more impressive 2.86 ERA and with the Phillies absent of a solid third starter heading into the postseason. 

In his last start, Suarez dazzled through six innings of work against the Cardinals, allowing four hits, one earned run and four walks while striking out five. 

LOL Mets

The Phillies will open up a 4-game series against the New York Mets tonight at Citizens Bank Park. They will play the Mets SEVEN TIMES over their last 10 games, closing the season out on the road in Queens.

Much like every MLB season, the expectations for the Mets were incredibly high at the start of the year, only to watch them collapse right around the All-Star break. They enter tonight 10 games below the .500 mark at 71-81 on the season.

They are 6-4 over their last 10 games and will almost certainly be looking to ruin the Phillies Wild Card chances given the fact that seven out of the last 10 games of the regular season will be played against their NL East “rival”. 

We do NOT need a situation where the Mets play spoiler.

As far as I’m concerned, Red October starts tonight in South Philly. Handle business against the Mets and Pirates during the seven game home stand. Clinch the top spot of the NL Wild Card in front of your own fans and get some rest during the final series on the road against the Mets.

From there, the Phillies are on a collision course to face the Atlanta Braves in the NLDS.