MLB-best Phillies getting healthy as Mets visit

The Philadelphia Phillies have reinforcements on their way for Friday's opener of a three-game series against the visiting New York Mets.

The Phillies (88-58) sit a season-high 30 games over .500 and boast an eight-game lead on the second-place Mets (80-66) with 16 games remaining. Philadelphia has a magic number of nine to clinch its first National League East title since 2011.

The Phillies own the best record in baseball, have won nine of their last 11 games and are getting healthier too. Designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (elbow) and catcher J.T. Realmuto (knee) are expected to return to the lineup Friday, while third baseman Alec Bohm (hand) might not be far behind.

Schwarber sat out Wednesday's game after injuring his elbow the previous night with an awkward slide on the basepaths.

"It's better," Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Wednesday, "but it's still affecting his swing a little bit."

Thomson's squad is coming off a three-game sweep of the Tampa Bay Rays. The Phillies notched a walk-off victory Monday before using a five-run eighth inning to capture Tuesday's contest. Wednesday's game went down to the wire as well, with Philadelphia holding on for a 3-2 triumph.

"I really liked how everybody did something to contribute every single night," said Nick Castellanos, who hit a two-run homer in the first inning Wednesday and scored the game-winning run in the sixth.

New York took two of three in Toronto this week, defeating the Blue Jays 6-2 in Wednesday's series finale. They did not have a hit until Francisco Lindor led off the ninth inning with a home run that sparked a six-run rally.

"He just got us going," Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. "Special player, special person."

Francisco Alvarez's three-run homer capped the rally for the Mets, who have won 11 of their last 13 games, but have split their last four contests.

On Friday, New York will turn to left-hander Jose Quintana (8-9, 4.09 ERA), who has given up one earned run in 18 innings over his last three starts.

"Nowadays, where guys are coming out and throwing as hard as they can and spinning as hard as they can, this guy's pitching," Mendoza said. "He's got to locate, he's got to mix pitches, he's got to change speeds. Old-school type, if you want to call it, and he continues to do it."

Quintana has allowed five runs and 10 hits in nine innings in two starts against Philadelphia this season. His most recent appearance against the Phillies came June 9 in London -- the last time the teams faced each other.

Overall, the Phillies have won four of their six games against the Mets in 2024.

They'll look to improve that mark behind right-hander Aaron Nola (12-7, 3.41), who will start against New York for the 28th time in his career. His lifetime mark against the Mets is 10-8 with a 3.21 ERA, including a sparkling four-hit shutout on May 14 in his only matchup against them this season.

"That was fun, actually," Nola said after his fourth career shutout.

Nola might be catching the Mets' stars at a good time. Despite his clutch home run Wednesday, Lindor is just 3-for-23 over his last two series. Pete Alonso went 0-for-8 in the Toronto series and Brandon Nimmo is 1-for-15 in his past four contests.

--Field Level Media