Game 4 of the NLDS is set for Wednesday, featuring the Philadelphia Phillies against the New York Mets. After a commanding 7-2 victory in Game 3, the Mets now lead the series 2-1. With a win, New York can eliminate their rivals at Citi Field. The victor will face either the Los Angeles Dodgers or the San Diego Padres in the next round. The Phillies will start Ranger Suarez (3.46 ERA), while the Mets counter with Jose Quintana (3.75 ERA). First pitch is at 5:08 EST, and fans can catch the game on FS1.
Pressure on the Phillies to Perform
The Phillies have dominated the NL East throughout the regular season, yet they find themselves at risk of elimination against their division rivals. This matchup marks the inaugural postseason encounter between the Phillies and Mets, making the stakes even higher for Philadelphia. In their last game, the Phillies managed just five hits and didn’t score until the 8th inning, with Bryce Harper and Nick Castellanos each contributing an RBI-single. However, their efforts fell short in the 7-2 defeat.
Harper, a marquee player for the past decade, finished the game 1-4. Despite his impressive 30 home runs this season, he is still pursuing his first World Series title. Castellanos and Kyle Schwarber are also critical to the team’s offense, with Schwarber leading the team in home runs during the regular season. Despite going 0-2 in the last game, he was walked twice, showing his ability to get on base. Castellanos has been particularly effective in the postseason, tallying three RBIs across three games.
Ranger Suarez will take the mound for the Phillies. At 29 years old, he completed the regular season with a 12-8 record. However, the Phillies lost his last three starts, raising concerns about his form. With 145 strikeouts this season, he also allowed 14 home runs, and his last outing resulted in a short appearance where he surrendered six runs.
Mets Aiming for a Historic Win
The New York Mets are on the verge of making history, as they seek their first World Series title since 1986. With a win in Game 4, they will advance to the NLCS. Despite finishing third in the NL East, the Mets have capitalized on their playoff opportunities, especially in their last game, where Pete Alonso and Jesse Winker each hit home runs.
Game 3 saw the Mets dominate from the start, scoring six runs early on. Starter Sean Manaea delivered a stellar performance, allowing only three hits over seven innings and giving up just one earned run. Alonso, who led the team with 34 home runs during the regular season, hit a solo shot in the 2nd inning. Winker, acquired from the Nationals mid-season, contributed with a home run as well, solidifying his spot in the designated hitter role for the playoffs.
Jose Quintana, a veteran left-hander, will start for New York. At 35 years old, he finished the regular season with a 10-10 record and has already made a significant impact in the postseason, pitching six scoreless innings against the Brewers in his last outing. His impressive ERA of 3.75 and 135 strikeouts indicate his capability on the mound, making him a formidable opponent for the Phillies.
Insights for the Phillies vs. Mets Showdown
The Mets have shown resilience and skill during the postseason, and with the decisive Game 4 at home, they are poised to eliminate the Phillies. The Mets have remained active, with little downtime between games, while the Phillies had a bye that might disrupt their momentum. Jose Quintana’s recent performance has been exceptional, with a mere 0.72 ERA over his last 30 days, and he has demonstrated a strong ability to contain the Phillies’ offense, evidenced by his 2.81 ERA against them this season. Conversely, Ranger Suarez’s struggles have led to a 6.04 ERA in the same timeframe. Given these factors, the Mets seem likely to capitalize on their current form and close out the series.
