What Phillies fans should know about the New York Mets ahead of the NLDS

The Phillies and Mets have played more than a thousand games against each other since New York entered the league in 1962, with the Phillies holding a narrow margin of 555-525-1. What's even more interesting is that, according to Baseball-Reference.com's database, they are separated by a paltry 10 runs in those 1,081 games (Phillies 4,595, Mets 4,585).

TEN!

As if October at Citizens Bank Park wasn't exciting enough, here comes the Mets, who are in the midst of an intriguing season. Should be fun.

10. Wild in the series

“Wild-card teams win the World Series, and that's why (our) is hungry – knowing we've been one of the better teams in baseball over the last four months,” Mets left fielder Brandon Nimmo told the New York Times during the distance run in September. “If we come in, we’re dangerous.”

” READ MORE: The Phillies' “longer-term bet” on Cristopher Sanchez appeared to be a misstep. Then he found his place.

9. Manaea's Revenge?

Mets starter Sean Manaea has names for the gloves he wears while pitching. In the past, he trotted around in SheHulk, Crestineth, Midnight and Abraham Lincoln. He also has one of the best nicknames: “The Throwin' Samoan”, a reference to his father Faaloloi. Manaea was capped by the Phillies in Game 4 of the 2022 NLCS while with the Padres and has given up 15 earned runs and seven home runs in 12.2 innings in four career postseason appearances.

8. More detailed chronicles

Bryce Harper is 2-for-15 against Edwin Diaz in his career, with two home runs and a whopping 11 strikeouts. Trea Turner is 1 of 10 with five Ks and Kyle Schwarber is 0 of 8 with six Ks. JT Realmuto is 6 of 15 against Diaz, who served a 10-game suspension during the season for having a foreign substance on his hand had.

” READ MORE: Our NLDS predictions between the Phillies and the Mets

7. Here comes Díaz

Mets closer Díaz had a 5.04 ERA in six games against the Phillies this season. But dig deeper. He gave up runs in his first three games, but was solid in his last three games – giving up no runs, one hit and two walks in 4.1 IP. Eight of the 13 outs were strikeouts.

6. MVP? Close.

Shortstop Francisco Lindor has been outstanding since Mendoza moved him to the top spot in mid-May. His 33 home runs were his most since 2018 and he will likely finish second to Shohei Ohtani in NL MVP voting. The Mets were 29-4 when he hit a home run. Numerologists may be pleased to know that he also stole 29 bases and was caught four times.

” READ MORE: David Murphy: Okay, maybe the Phillies should be a little afraid of the Mets

5. Management skills

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza and Phillies manager Rob Thomson were coaches in the Yankees organization during the 2010 decade. Mendoza wears No. 28, in part because the anniversary of when he met his wife, Francis, is September 28th. Awwww.

4. I wasn't expecting you

This will be the Phillies' first postseason meeting against the Mets, leaving only the Nationals, Cubs and Pirates of the National League clubs the Phils have not yet faced in the playoffs.

” READ MORE: The showman owns the bench stage. What does Bryce Harper have planned for another playoff run?

3. Pete takes action

They have also rallied around star slugger Pete Alonso, who is headed to free agency after the season. Alonso ranks third in Mets history in home runs behind Darryl Strawberry and David Wright, and he hit the best home run of his life to beat the Brewers in the wild-card round on Thursday night. Alonso has respectable numbers against Zack Wheeler (10 for 34, no homers, .294 average) and Aaron Nola (16 for 50, five homers, .320 average).

” READ MORE: The Phillies and Mets will meet for the first time in the postseason. Who will come out on top in their NLDS match?

2. He's a hit

This time last year, the 34-year-old Iglesias was out of baseball. He was signed by the Mets to a minor league contract in December and finished the regular season with a 22-game hitting streak.

” READ MORE: McDonald's grimace and “OMG” anthem helped the Mets make the improbable run to an NLDS matchup against the Phillies

1. Listen to the music

The Mets were 22-33 after being embarrassed at home by the Dodgers shortly after Memorial Day. A few days later, they called up versatile infielder Jose Iglesias, a Taylor Swift in cleats who hit .337 in 85 games. Iglesias, who first hit the majors in 2011, rocked the club with his infectious Latin-pop hit “OMG.” Yes. He is a real singer.