The Philadelphia Phillies are set to receive some key players back as they prepare for the start of their three-game series against the New York Mets on Friday. The Phillies (88-58) are currently 30 games above .500, their highest mark of the season, and hold an eight-game lead over the second-place Mets (80-66) with just 16 games left to play. They need just nine more wins to secure their first National League East title since 2011. As the team with the best record in baseball, they have won nine of their last 11 games and are becoming healthier. Designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (elbow) and catcher J.T. Realmuto (knee) are expected to return to the lineup on Friday, and third baseman Alec Bohm (hand) might also be close to coming back. Schwarber missed Wednesday’s game due to an elbow injury sustained during an awkward slide the night before. “It’s improving,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson said on Wednesday, “but it’s still impacting his swing a bit.”
The Phillies are coming off a successful three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays, where they secured a walk-off win on Monday, used a five-run eighth inning to win Tuesday’s game, and held on for a 3-2 victory in Wednesday’s tight match. “I really appreciated how everyone contributed each night,” said Nick Castellanos, who hit a two-run homer in Wednesday’s first inning and scored the game-winning run in the sixth.
The Mets, meanwhile, won two of their three games against the Toronto Blue Jays this week, finishing the series with a 6-2 victory on Wednesday. They were scoreless until Francisco Lindor hit a leadoff home run in the ninth inning, sparking a six-run rally. “He really got us started,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “He’s a special player and person.” Francisco Alvarez’s three-run homer finished off the rally for the Mets, who have won 11 of their last 13 games but are currently split in their last four contests.
On Friday, New York will rely on left-hander Jose Quintana (8-9, 4.09 ERA), who has given up just one earned run in 18 innings over his last three starts. “In an era where pitchers are focused on speed and spin, Quintana is a throwback,” Mendoza said. “He relies on locating his pitches, mixing them up, and changing speeds.” Quintana has allowed five runs and 10 hits over nine innings in two starts against the Phillies this season, with his most recent appearance against them occurring on June 9 in London. The Phillies have won four of their six meetings with the Mets this year.
The Phillies will counter with right-hander Aaron Nola (12-7, 3.41), who will make his 28th career start against New York. Nola holds a 10-8 record with a 3.21 ERA against the Mets, including a standout four-hit shutout on May 14 in his only matchup against them this season. “That was a lot of fun,” Nola said after his fourth career shutout. Nola may be facing the Mets’ stars at a favorable time, as Lindor has struggled recently, hitting just 3-for-23 over his last two series, Pete Alonso went 0-for-8 in Toronto, and Brandon Nimmo is 1-for-15 in his last four games.
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