Phillies vs. Mets live score updates: Kyle Schwarber home run, how to watch MLB playoffs
The Philadelphia Phillies are set to take on the New York Mets in Game 1 of the National League Division Series on Saturday. This marks their first postseason clash, despite having faced each other in nearly 1,100 regular season matches.
Arriving with momentum, the Mets pulled off a thrilling ninth-inning victory against the Milwaukee Brewers thanks to Pete Alonso’s dramatic home run in the wild-card series decider on Thursday. Meanwhile, the Phillies secure their third consecutive playoff appearance after clinching the division title for the first time since 2011, which granted them a direct entry to the LDS.
Kodai Senga is starting on the mound for the Mets at Citizens Bank Park, which is a surprising decision since the right-handed pitcher has only played one game this season due to injuries. For the Phillies, ace Zack Wheeler takes the stage, bringing a commendable 2.42 ERA from 11 postseason games (10 of which were starts).
Keep checking back for live updates during Saturday’s game:
Mets register first hit but Wheeler maintains composure
Mark Vientos broke the Mets’ silence in the fourth inning with a single, following a stretch of three hitless innings. A walk given to Brandon Nimmo created a chance for New York to score with no outs, but Zack Wheeler responded by striking out Pete Alonso and inducing Jose Iglesias into a double play to end the inning.
Kodai Senga exits after two innings
In his first start since July, Mets righty Kodai Senga pitched two innings, recording three strikeouts but allowing a home run to Kyle Schwarber in the first inning before being replaced by lefty David Peterson.
Peterson, who secured a save in Game 3 of the wild-card series, had an impressive 10-4 record and a 2.90 ERA across 21 regular season starts.
Kyle Schwarber opens scoring with a home run
Following Wheeler’s successful inning against the Mets, Kyle Schwarber hit a home run off Kodai Senga to kick off the bottom of the first inning, electrifying the Citizens Bank Park crowd.
This home run marked Schwarber’s 21st in postseason history, allowing him to surpass Derek Jeter for fourth place on the all-time list.
What time does Mets vs Phillies begin?
The first pitch for Game 1 is set for 4:08 p.m. ET on Saturday at Citizens Bank Park.
Where to watch Mets vs Phillies NLDS
- TV: FOX
- Stream: Available on Fubo (Some regional restrictions may apply)
Mets roster for Game 1
- Francisco Lindor (S) SS
- Mark Vientos (R) 3B
- Brandon Nimmo (L) LF
- Pete Alonso (R) 1B
- Jose Iglesias (R) 2B
- Jesse Winker (L) DH
- Starling Marte (R) RF
- Tyrone Taylor (R) CF
- Francisco Alvarez (R) C
Phillies roster for Game 1
- Kyle Schwarber (L) DH
- Trea Turner (R) SS
- Bryce Harper (L) 1B
- Nick Castellanos (R) RF
- Alec Bohm (R) 3B
- Bryson Stott (L) 2B
- J.T. Realmuto (R) C
- Brandon Marsh (L) LF
- Johan Rojas (R) CF
Predictions for Phillies vs. Mets
The sports writers and editors at YSL News all unanimously predicted that the Phillies will defeat the Mets in the NLDS, with three of them foreseeing that the Phillies might claim their first World Series title since 2008.
Surprising starter for Mets: Kodai Senga to pitch Game 1
PHILADELPHIA — Just a day ago, Kodai Senga was in Florida, questioning if he would return to play this season.
In a twist of fate, he now finds himself boarding a flight to Philadelphia following Pete Alonso’s clutch three-run homer that salvaged the Mets’ season in Milwaukee, setting him up for one of the most improbable postseason starts in baseball history.
Senga, who only pitched once this season for a total of 5⅓ innings on July 26, is now set to face the formidable Phillies in Game 1 of the National League Division Series.
“I’m prepared for anything,” Senga remarked. “If they tell me 10 pitches, I’m ready for that. If they say 200, I’m all in for that too.”
When asked about Senga’s potential pitch count, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza expressed uncertainty, stating that they would monitor his performance closely and make adjustments as necessary.
“We’ll see, we have a plan. But we will observe him closely,” Mendoza said.
– Bob Nightengale
