Already one of the top rivalries in Major League Baseball, the Phillies and Mets are set to add a chapter unlike any other when they meet in the 2024 National League Division Series — the first postseason meeting between the two clubs.
This NLDS showdown provides not only an intriguing battle on the field — and between two of the most intense fanbases in the sport — but it also comes with a number of great individual matchups.
Bryce Harper vs. Pete Alonso. Trea Turner vs. Francisco Lindor. Kyle Schwarber vs. J.D. Martinez. Alec Bohm vs. Mark Vientos.
Of course, some positions were easier than others to find a decisive edge for one team, but here’s a full look at the position-by-position breakdown for this highly anticipated series.
Catcher
Francisco Alvarez brings plenty of pop and solid defense behind the plate for the Mets, but his offensive struggles continued in the NL Wild Card Series. He went just 1-for-11 (.091) against the Brewers after posting a .594 OPS in the second half this season (.844 OPS in first half). And while J.T. Realmuto may no longer be the surefire top all-around catcher in the Majors as he’s been in recent years, he’s still one of the best. He leads all catcher in pop time, commands a pitching staff as well as anyone and is still an above-average hitter. Realmuto has also homered in six of the Phillies’ seven series over the past two postseasons.
Advantage: Phillies
First base
It’s hard to come through with a bigger hit than Alonso’s game-winning homer in the NLDS — and that’s after he hit 34 home runs during the regular season. This was actually a bit of a down season for Alonso, who is averaging 42 homers and 110 RBIs per season over his five full big league seasons (excluding 2020). But Harper is no stranger to massive postseason moments either. And while Harper faded from the National League Most Valuable Player discussion down the stretch, the two-time MVP still finished with 30 homers, 42 doubles and an .898 OPS, all while playing above-average defense in his first full season at first base.
Advantage: Phillies
Second base
This one could have easily gone either way. Iglesias has been a sparkplug in New York, hitting .337 in limited playing time and providing the “OMG” mantra for the Mets. Stott, on the other hand, provided one of the most incredible moments of the Phillies’ last two postseason runs with his grand slam in Game 2 of last year’s NL Wild Card Series. But while Stott has continued to play Gold Glove-caliber defense up the middle and remains a constant threat on the basepaths, his offense has taken a major step back in 2024. He posted a sub-.700 OPS in all but one month this season on his way to hitting .245 with a .671 OPS.
Advantage: Mets
Third base
Another close battle here. Bohm put up big numbers in the first half on his way to starting the Midsummer Classic for the NL at third base (his first career All-Star selection). And while he cooled off down the stretch — Bohm hit .196 with a .501 OPS over his final 24 games — he still finished with 44 doubles and 97 RBIs while hitting cleanup for the majority of the season. Vientos has enjoyed a breakout season for the Mets, clubbing 27 home runs and posting an .837 OPS over 111 games.
Advantage: Phillies
Shortstop
This matchup features two of the best shortstops in the game in Lindor and Turner. Turner is a three-time All-Star, 2019 World Series champion and former batting title winner when he hit .328 in 2021. He’s also one of the fastest players in the game and can singlehandedly take over a game with either his bat or his legs — or both. But Lindor had an MVP-caliber season, finishing with 33 home runs — none bigger than the decisive two-run shot in Monday’s wild win over Atlanta that sent the Mets to the postseason. He also racked up 29 stolen bases and 91 RBIs, all while ranking fourth among shortstops with 15 Outs Above Average.
Advantage: Mets
Left field
The Phillies are still working out their exact outfield plans in left and center for this series, but they’re likely to go with a platoon of Austin Hays and Brandon Marsh. Hays has been banged up for most of his time with the Phillies, playing just 22 games since being acquired from the O’s on July 26. Marsh is an elite defender and his offense has looked better at times this season, but he can be neutralized by left-handed pitching. In the other dugout, Brandon Nimmo finished with 23 homers, 15 stolen bases and a career-best 90 RBIs.
Advantage: Mets
Center field
Tyrone Taylor started all three games in center for the Mets in the NL Wild Card Series — and Harrison Bader finished all three (with Taylor sliding over to right). Both are solid defenders, but Bader is closer to elite while Taylor provides a little more pop with the bat. It’s a situation the Phillies can certainly relate to, as Johan Rojas claimed the center-field job last season due to his otherworldly defensive play. And while the Phillies were happy to overlook Rojas’ offensive shortcomings because of his glove, they weren’t quite expecting him to go 4-for-43 (.093) with 15 strikeouts in last year’s postseason.
Advantage: Mets
Right field
Nick Castellanos hasn’t quite returned to the 2021 version that helped him earn his five-year, $100 million deal with the Phillies that offseason, but he’s certainly moved well beyond his disappointing debut season in Philly. He played all 162 games for the Phils this season, racking up 23 home runs, 86 RBIs and a .742 OPS. He’s provided an everyday presence in right field over the past two years, all while averaging 26 homers and 96 RBIs. On the other side, 13-year veteran Starling Marte remains an important piece for the Mets, but the 35-year-old outfielder had a bit of a down season and is typically lifted for defense late in games.
Advantage: Phillies
Designated hitter
Martinez brings plenty of experience and Jesse Winker will almost certainly find a way to endear himself to Phillies fans, so to speak, over the next week, but this was an easy one. Schwarber’s 20 career postseason home runs are tied for the fourth most in MLB history — and his four leadoff homers are the most by any hitter in postseason history. And while he also led the NL with 106 walks this season, nothing can set the tone quite like a Schwarber no-doubter.
Advantage: Phillies
Starting rotation
The Phillies would have had the edge in this one regardless, but having the luxury of lining up their rotation exactly how they want is an added bonus. While Philadelphia will turn to Zack Wheeler — one of the best pitchers in postseason history and an NL Cy Young candidate — in Game 1, it remains to be seen who New York will call on after needing to use its own ace, Luis Severino, on Tuesday in Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series. Even beyond the No. 1 starters, the Phillies’ rotation is much deeper with workhorse Aaron Nola and a pair of All-Stars (Cristopher Sánchez and Ranger Suárez) waiting in the wings.
Advantage: Phillies
Bullpen
The Phillies solidified their bullpen at the Trade Deadline when they brought in Carlos Estévez and traded away Gregory Soto and Seranthony Domínguez. Estévez has been solid since his arrival, posting a 2.57 ERA and six saves over 21 innings — but his only postseason experience is a lone appearance in the 2017 NL Wild Card Game for the Rockies. Still, he is just one of four high-leverage options sporting a sub-3.00 ERA, along with Jeff Hoffman (2.17 ERA), Matt Strahm (1.87) and Orion Kerkering (2.29). The Mets also fortified their bullpen around closer Edwin Díaz, who has been heroic in helping them clinch a playoff spot and in Game 3 against the Brewers.
Advantage: Phillies
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