The Mets face the Philadelphia Phillies in a two-game series across the pond in London.
Here are five things to watch as the NL East foes face off…
Bats warming up since team meeting
Francisco Lindor called a team meeting following the Met’s 10-3 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers on May 29, and everything that was said behind closed doors appears to have had the desired effect. Since that date, the Mets have gone 5-2, including a three-game victory over the Washington Nationals.
While the starting pitching has been strong for most of the season, the bats needed to step up, and they certainly have done so lately. Lindor is hitting .429 with two homers and five RBI in his last seven games, Marcos Vientos is hitting .385 with a couple homers and six RBI, and JD Martinez is on a 10 game streak. And beyond those three, the Mets appear to be receiving contributions from all levels.
The Mets scored 25 runs in their three-game sweep of the Nats, and hope the Bats can stay hot for the two-game set in London
How much playing time for Jeff McNeil?
The Mets have been facing a strong left-handed pitching lineup of late, and as a result, McNeil found himself benched in favor of recently called up Jose Iglesias. McNeil has been benched for three consecutive games total and four consecutive games against left-handed starters.
The Phillies will have a lefty Ranger Suarez, who has been one of the best pitchers in baseball this season, on the mound on Saturday. And McNeil is on the bench again on Saturday. It’s been a season to remember so far for McNeil, who is slashing .227/.296/.320 with three homers and 14 RBI. And besides just McNeil being fighting, his replacement, José Iglesias, has thrived at the plate, hitting .389 with three RBI and three runs scored in five games this season.
Are you okay, Mars?
Mars Starling was a late scratch in Wednesday’s lineup, with the captain Carlos Mendoza saying Marte reported “something about his knee” after Tuesday’s game. Marte did not play on Wednesday and has two more days off before Saturday, so the hope is that the veteran will be able to return for the series, with Mendoza saying there is a “low level of concern.”
Having Marte in the lineup would be a huge advantage for the Mets, as he has been on a tear lately. In his last seven games, Marte has increasingly looked like the All-Star he was in 2022, slashing .400/.464/.560 with six RBI, five runs scored and two stolen bases.
Meeting an old friend abroad
Perhaps the next time McNeil starts will be on Sunday, when the Mets finally face a right-handed pitcher, and he’s a familiar face in the Taijuan Walker.
A 2021 Mets All-Star, Walker has struggled during his season with the Phillies, pitching to a 4.62 ERA in his 38 starts in a Phillies uniform. Walker missed the start of this season with a right shoulder impingement, and he has struggled to get into a rhythm since his return, posting a 5.71 ERA in seven starts this season.
Harper on fire
The Phillies enter this series with the best record in the National League, 44-19, and are coming off a victory over the NL Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers. Excellent starting pitching and a strong bullpen have been the stories of the season for the Phillies, who enter the game with an NL-best 2.92 ERA as a team.
But don’t forget the lineup led by May’s NL Player of the Month Bryce Harper. Last month, Harper slashed .313/.407/.583 with seven home runs and 24 RBI. Harper has 36 career home runs against the Mets, tied for second most against any opponent. The Mets will take a pair of lefties to the mound in Sean Manaea It is José Quintanawhich could help slow down the likes of Harper, Kyle SchwarberIt is Bryson Stott.
