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The New York Mets and the Philadelphia Phillies will play a crucial series from Friday to Sunday.
It’s an important one for the Mets, leaders of the NL East division with a seven-game cushion over the Atlanta Braves and with a 10.5-game difference with the Phils.
For Philadelphia, however, it’s a pivotal matchup: sweeping the mighty Mets will mean that they can start dreaming about taking the division with a furious late-season run.
They need the victories for the Wild Card race, anyway, so yes: it’s a big series for Philadelphia.
It will be tough to win a game against the Mets, let alone get the sweep, because New York is about to throw their best three starting pitchers to the mound for the weekend series.
“Mets-Phillies probables: Tonight: LHP Ranger Suárez (8-5, 3.68) vs. RHP Max Scherzer (8-2, 1.98). Tomorrow: RHP Aaron Nola (8-8, 3.17) vs. RHP Jacob deGrom (1-0, 2.53). Sunday: RHP Zack Wheeler (11-5, 2.63) vs. RHP Chris Bassitt (9-7, 3.39),” Mets insider Anthony DiComo tweeted.
Mets-Phillies probables:
Tonight:
LHP Ranger Suárez (8-5, 3.68) vs. RHP Max Scherzer (8-2, 1.98)Tomorrow:
RHP Aaron Nola (8-8, 3.17) vs. RHP Jacob deGrom (1-0, 2.53)Sunday:
RHP Zack Wheeler (11-5, 2.63) vs. RHP Chris Bassitt (9-7, 3.39)— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) August 12, 2022
Three Fascinating Matchups
The Scherzer – Suarez matchup seems a bit inclined to the Mets side, but don’t sleep on Suarez: he was stellar in 2021 and has been solid in 2022, too.
Nola – deGrom is actually the main dish of the weekend.
People are eager to watch deGrom pitch, as he seems close to his peak form after missing several months with a stress reaction on his right scapula.
Nola, of course, is one of the best and most underrated pitchers of the National League and usually brings his A-game when the Phillies need him.
On Sunday, the Mets will have the very solid Bassitt, acquired before the season via trade.
Philadelphia will counter with star right-hander Zack Wheeler, in what looks to be the only pitching matchup that favors the Phillies (albeit slightly).
It should be a fascinating series.