The Philadelphia Phillies are set to battle the New York Mets in Game 1 of the National League Division Series on Saturday. This marks the first postseason clash between these long-time rivals, who have faced off in around 1,100 regular season games.

The Mets entered this best-of-five series with a thrilling ninth-inning homer from Pete Alonso, which allowed them to clinch a win over the Milwaukee Brewers in the wild-card series on Thursday. The Phillies, having qualified for the playoffs for the third consecutive year, captured their first division title since 2011, which granted them a bye to the LDS.

Kodai Senga will start on the mound for the Mets at Citizens Bank Park, a surprising choice given that the right-hander has only pitched once this season due to injury. The Phillies will counter with their ace, Zack Wheeler, who has an impressive career 2.42 ERA across 11 postseason games (10 starts).

Keep checking back for updates during Saturday’s game:

Mets surge ahead: New York leads after the 8th inning

A remarkable turn of events unfolded at Citizens Bank Park.

After Zack Wheeler exited for the eighth inning, Jeff Hoffman took the mound for the Phillies, and the Mets quickly capitalized. New York began with a single by Francisco Alvarez followed by a walk for Francisco Lindor. Mark Vientos then delivered a game-tying single to left field, leaving no outs.

Brandon Nimmo added an RBI single, taking the Mets to a 2-1 lead, while Pete Alonso followed with a sacrifice fly to center, bringing Vientos home and extending the Mets’ lead to 3-1.

J.D. Martinez then contributed with an RBI single and Starling Marte hit another sacrifice fly, flipping a 1-0 deficit into a commanding 5-1 lead for the Mets before the Phillies could finally secure the third out.

Zack Wheeler pitches seven shutout innings

Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler completed seven scoreless innings, throwing 111 pitches and holding a 1-0 lead as the game headed into the bottom of the eighth. Wheeler, who began his MLB career with the Mets in 2013, allowed only one hit while striking out nine without issuing any walks.

Phillies lead 1-0 after 5 innings

Kyle Schwarber’s leadoff home run in the first inning remains the sole scoring play, while Zack Wheeler maintained a shutout through five innings, allowing just one hit and claiming seven strikeouts.

Mets reliever David Peterson impressed in his three shutout frames after Senga, managing to navigate through innings four and five with a runner in scoring position and striking out Bryce Harper to end the latter.

Mets get first hit but Wheeler escapes trouble

Mark Vientos provided the Mets with their first hit, leading off the top of the fourth. Though the Mets remained hitless for three innings, a walk to Brandon Nimmo gave them a chance to score with no outs. However, Wheeler responded by striking out Pete Alonso and inducing a ground ball double play from Jose Iglesias to end the inning.

Kodai Senga’s outing concludes after two innings

Mets right-hander Kodai Senga, making his first start since July, was replaced by lefty David Peterson after completing two innings and striking out three but allowing a home run to Kyle Schwarber in the first inning.

Peterson recently earned the save in Game 3 of the wild-card series on Thursday, marking his first career save. The 29-year-old maintained an impressive regular season record of 10-4 with a 2.90 ERA across 21 starts.

Kyle Schwarber’s leadoff homer energizes the crowd

After Wheeler set the Mets down in the top of the inning, Kyle Schwarber opened the bottom of the first with a thrilling home run off Kodai Senga, sending the fans at Citizens Bank Park into a celebratory frenzy.

This marked Schwarber’s 21st postseason homer, breaking a tie with Derek Jeter for the fourth spot on the all-time list.

When do the Mets play the Phillies?

The first pitch for Game 1 is set for 4:08 p.m. ET on Saturday at Citizens Bank Park.

Where to watch the Mets vs. Phillies NLDS

• TV: FOX
• Streaming: You can watch on Fubo (Note: Regional restrictions may apply)

Mets Game 1 lineup

1. Francisco Lindor (S) SS
2. Mark Vientos (R) 3B
3. Brandon Nimmo (L) LF
4. Pete Alonso (R) 1B
5. Jose Iglesias (R) 2B
6. Jesse Winker (L) DH
7. Starling Marte (R) RF
8. Tyrone Taylor (R) CF
9. Francisco Alvarez (R) C

Phillies Game 1 lineup

1. Kyle Schwarber (L) DH
2. Trea Turner (R) SS
3. Bryce Harper (L) 1B
4. Nick Castellanos (R) RF
5. Alec Bohm (R) 3B
6. Bryson Stott (L) 2B
7. J.T. Realmuto (R) C
8. Brandon Marsh (L) LF
9. Johan Rojas (R) CF

Predictions for Phillies vs. Mets

The entire YSL News Sports MLB staff has chosen the Phillies to win against the Mets in the NLDS, with three members predicting the Phillies will secure their first World Series title since 2008.

Mets announce Kodai Senga as Game 1 starter in an unexpected decision

PHILADELPHIA — Just a day prior, Kodai Senga was pitching in Florida, uncertain if he’d see game time this season due to his ongoing recovery.

<pThen, Pete Alonso hits a decisive three-run home run in Milwaukee, keeping the New York Mets’ captivating season alive, which prompts Senga to board a flight to join his team in Philadelphia for what could be one of the most surprising starts in postseason history.

Senga, who has only pitched once this season – for a total of 5⅓ innings on July 26 – is now gearing up to face the formidable Phillies in Game 1 of the National League Division Series.

“I’m prepared for anything,” Senga stated. “If they request 10 pitches, I’m all for it. If they ask for 200, bring it on, I’m ready for 200.”

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza kept his cards close to his chest when asked, revealing he isn’t certain how long Senga will be pitching.

“We’ll see how it unfolds; we’re going to let it happen naturally,” Mendoza explained. “We have a strategy in place. However, we will be monitoring him closely and will proceed from there.”