Game Chat: Mets vs Phillies, 7:15 PM

Friday, June 20, 2025 • 7:15 PM
Citizens Bank Park • Philadelphia, PA
RHP Blade Tidwell (0-1, 14.73) vs. RHP Zack Wheeler (7-2, 2.76)
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The Mets are now entering their most consequential stretch of games so far this season. They have lost six straight, including being swept by the Atlanta Braves. The club enters play today 15 games above .500 and in a tie with the Phillies for first place in the NL East.

Next on their schedule are three games against Philadelphia at Citizens Bank Park, followed by four more games against the Braves at Citi Field. A solid week, starting tonight, can quickly erase this recent stretch from our memories. A difficult week could turn this month into a June swoon.

Mets Lineup

1. Francisco Lindor – SS
2. Brandon Nimmo – LF
3. Juan Soto – RF
4. Pete Alonso – 1B
5. Jeff McNeil – 2B
6. Jared Young – DH
7. Luis Torrens – C
8. Brett Baty – 3B
9. Tyrone Taylor – CF

The Mets’ current pitching situation is making things even more difficult for the team. They had to burn Justin Hagenman on Thursday, who was slated to throw a majority of the innings tonight. Luckily, the Mets had a backup plan in Blade Tidwell.

Tidwell made his major league debut on May 4 against the St. Louis Cardinals, where he allowed six runs on nine hits and three walks over 3 2/3 innings. Things have looked better for Tidwell in Syracuse, where he has pitched 62 1/3 innings over 13 games (11 starts) with a 4.76 ERA and 1.267 WHIP. He is coming off of a rough start on June 15, however, where he allowed six runs on seven hits over 3 2/3 innings.

Opposing Lineup

1. Trea Turner – SS
2. Kyle Schwarber – DH
3. Alec Bohm – 3B
4. Nick Castellanos – RF
5. Max Kepler – LF
6. J.T. Realmuto – C
7. Bryson Stott – 2B
8. Otto Kemp – 1B
9. Brandon Marsh – CF

The Mets’ bats have been in a bad place this week, and the matchups haven’t done them any favors. Over the last four games, including tonight, they will have faced Spencer Schwellenbach, Chris Sale, Spencer Strider and Zack Wheeler.

Wheeler is having another tremendous season, pitching 88 innings with a 2.76 ERA, 2.76 FIP, 0.886 WHIP and a 151 ERA+. He’s allowed three runs, two of which were earned, over his last two starts (12 innings) while striking out 16 batters. Earlier this season, he allowed two runs over six innings on five hits against the Mets.

The Mets have the following career numbers against Wheeler:

• Luisangel Acuña 1-3
• Pete Alonso 10-40, 2 2B, 2 BB, 12 K
• Francisco Alvarez 0-4, BB, 2 K
• Brett Baty 4-10, HR, 2 K
• Francisco Lindor 9-33, 2B, 3B, HR, 2 BB, 6 K
• Starling Marte 7-25, 2B, 3B, BB
• Ronny Mauricio 1-3, K
• Jeff McNeil 7-33, 2 BB, 8 K
• Brandon Nimmo 13-49, 3 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 2 BB, 8 K
• Juan Soto 14-53, 2 2B, 3 HR, 14 BB, 15 K
• Tyrone Taylor 2-12, 6 K

Game Notes

• Last night, the High-A Brooklyn Cyclones joined Double-A Binghamton and Low-A St. Lucie as the three Mets minor league affiliates to clinch a playoff spot thus far.
• Sean Manaea, who had his rehab assignment transferred to Triple-A Syracuse, threw 5 1/3 innings of one-run ball with seven strikeouts against the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp this afternoon. The New York Post’s Mike Puma noted that the Mets are tentatively planning on him returning during the team’s series against the Milwaukee Brewers from July 1 – 3.
• Manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters that Frankie Montas will likely make his Mets debut against the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday. Additionally, he stated that Mark Vientos will play out his rehab assignment with Syracuse this weekend and could potentially return by Monday.

Three Things To Watch For

1. The Mets’ bats. The offense has looked rather feeble this past week. On Wednesday, the Mets only got one hitter beyond first base. Thursday, they went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position and struck out an astounding 13 times. Five players struck out twice. The last time Wheeler faced the Mets, he struck out nine batters. The Mets just need to relax at the plate and remember their strengths.
2. Tyrone Taylor. Taylor went 4-for-10 with a home run, a double and three RBIs against the Braves earlier this week. Hopefully he can remain hot and help prop up the bottom of the Mets’ lineup.
3. Francisco Lindor. The Mets need their leader right now. He’s gone hitless in four consecutive games (0-for-14) with two walks and four strikeouts. Since breaking his pinky toe, Lindor’s gone 9-for-44 with three extra-base hits, no home runs and five walks while slashing .205/.286/.273. Let’s hope he starts returning to his normal career numbers tonight!

Let’s go Mets!

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