Five things Mets fans need to know about the Phillies heading into Game 1 of the NLDS at Citizens Bank Park on Saturday afternoon:
1. A new chapter somehow
A total of 1,080 games were played between the Mets and Phillies, a traditional National League East rivalry.
Philadelphia has no shortage of postseason games (133) either.
But they have never faced the Mets in the playoffs, and Citizens Bank Park will get their first experience Saturday.
2. Chevar blows up a bomb
Just look at Kyle Schwarber's numbers over his career and against the Mets this season: 18 home runs in 73 games and 1 home run in 13 games, respectively.
But in 30 postseason games since signing with the Phillies in 2022, Schwarber has hit 11 home runs from the leadoff spot.
His 20 postseason home runs over his career (65 games) are tied for fourth all-time with Derek Jeter, according to MLB.com.
Follow The Post's postseason coverage of the Mets:
3. Long shot
Zack Wheeler is one of the most notable former Mets to play against, considering the circumstances surrounding his departure from Queens, and will continue to be with the Phillies as long as he is with them.
But Kevin Long, who won the World Series with the Nationals as hitting coach in 2019, also served in the same role with the Mets during the 2015 World Series.
He was also a candidate for manager in 2017. And now he's the mechanic on an offense that finished fifth in average, OPS and points scored during the regular season.
4. Mr. Dependable
Bryce Harper, no longer an outfielder but a first baseman, continued to change positions even after fully recovering from Tommy John surgery, but even in this year's game against the Mets, he was batting .298 and batting average. I was able to have enough success with 4 and 4 at bats. Home run and OPS 1.027.
And like Schwarber, Harper has a knack for giving birth in October. In his final two postseason games with the Phillies, he averaged .324 and had an OPS of 1.137.
5. Turn the light back on
The Mets didn't hit a home run in the National League Wild Card Series until Pete Alonso exploded late in Game 3.
However, despite having Wheeler, ace Aaron Nola, and a proven reliever lineup, the Phillies' pitching staff will struggle to limit home runs in 2024, finishing the regular season tied for sixth in the majors. Finished.
