The Phillies open a four game series at the Mets on Thursday, September 17 at 7:15 p.m. ET, and this one is on national television on FOX. Aaron Nola starts for Philadelphia (84-68), which is holding an NL wild card spot and still chasing Atlanta in the East; Nolan McLean, the Mets’ best young arm, goes for New York (69-83), which is out of the race but playing for pride against its rival.
Game Info
| First pitch | 7:15 p.m. ET |
| TV | FOX (national), FOX One streaming |
| Philadelphia starter | RHP Aaron Nola |
| New York starter | RHP Nolan McLean, 11-9, 3.24 ERA, 184 strikeouts |
| Rest of series | Fri 7:15 (Apple TV), Sat 4:10 (NBCSP, SNY), Sun 1:10 (NBCSP, WPIX) |
Why It Matters
Philadelphia is four and a half games behind Atlanta in the NL East and holds the second wild card, a game behind the Cubs for the top wild card spot and a game clear of San Diego for the third, with Arizona three games behind the Padres. With ten games left, a four game series against a team with nothing to lose is either where the Phillies lock in a playoff spot or where the seeding gets complicated.
The rotation is the issue. Jesus Luzardo went on the 15 day injured list with shoulder inflammation on Tuesday, so after Nola on Thursday the Phillies have to choose whether rookie Andrew Painter pitches Friday on regular rest or Saturday, and one of the four games is likely a bullpen game. Cristopher Sanchez, 15 wins and a 2.54 ERA, is lined up for the Sunday finale.
The Mets are 69-83 and eliminated, but Citi Field has been a bad place for Philadelphia for years, and McLean is the reason to watch. The 25 year old right hander has 184 strikeouts and a 3.24 ERA and has become the anchor of a rotation that also throws Zach Thornton, Christian Scott and Jonah Tong the rest of the way. Juan Soto (21 homers) and Bo Bichette lead the lineup against Kyle Schwarber (37 homers) and Bryce Harper.
NL Wild Card Picture Entering Thursday
| Spot | Team | Record |
|---|---|---|
| Wild card 1 | Chicago Cubs | 85-68 |
| Wild card 2 | Philadelphia | 84-68 |
| Wild card 3 | San Diego | 83-69 |
| Next up | Arizona | 80-73 |
Records through Wednesday, September 16. Full standings on the NL wild card standings page.
Related
Thursday’s probable pitchers · MLB playoff picture · MLB playoff bracket · Sports on TV today
The Bottom Line
Phillies at Mets, 7:15 p.m. ET Thursday on FOX, Nola against McLean. Philadelphia needs wins to hold its wild card position with a thin rotation; the Mets are playing spoiler.