The New York Mets (34-47) host the Philadelphia Phillies (45-36) at Citi Field Friday night for the start of a three-game NL East showdown in Queens. These two rivals just met last week in Philadelphia for their first series of the season, with the Phillies taking two of three games, including a 15-3 victory in which Philadelphia piled up 17 hits, Kyle Schwarber hit three home runs, and Bryce Harper recorded the first cycle of his MLB career.
The Phillies are coming off a wild series in Washington in which they made MLB history by hitting a game-winning home run in three consecutive games. The Nationals won the first game of the four-game series, but on Tuesday, with the Phillies down to their final out in an 8-6 game, Brandon Marsh hit a game-tying two-run home run before Bryson Stott followed with a go-ahead three-run homer as part of an eight-run ninth inning.
Philadelphia was again down to its final out in a 4-3 game Wednesday before recently acquired Derek Hill played the hero with a go-ahead two-run home run. Closer Jhoan Duran then shut the door in the bottom of the ninth to secure the victory.
As if it couldn’t get any crazier, the Phillies trailed 5-0 early in Thursday’s series finale before rallying to tie the game in the seventh inning. They then erupted for five runs in the ninth, highlighted by Harper’s two-run home run against his former team, giving Philadelphia a 7-5 lead before adding three more runs to complete the comeback.
The Mets, meanwhile, haven’t had much go right in 2026. After an aggressive offseason in free agency and the trade market, New York enters Friday 13 games below .500 and sits in last place in the NL East. The Mets have lost six straight games, including two to the Phillies last week, and fired manager Carlos Mendoza on Friday amid the disappointing season, naming Andy Green interim manager.
The storyline for Friday’s opener is Zack Wheeler taking the mound against his former team as he looks to extend the Phillies’ winning streak to four games while keeping the Mets’ struggles going.
Phillies vs. Mets Current Odds
The Phillies have completely turned their season around after a 9-19 start and are once again among the top teams in MLB, while the Mets continue to endure a disappointing season. Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook lists Philadelphia as the road favorite for Friday night’s opener in Queens:
- Moneyline: Phillies -165, Mets +135
- Run Line: Phillies -1.5 (+105), Mets +1.5 (-125)
- Total (Runs): Over 8.5 (+100), Under 8.5 (-120)
Phillies vs. Mets Predictions
There’s no love lost between the Phillies and Mets, so don’t miss your chance to get in on this heated divisional matchup. Check out Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook’s Stats Hub for baseball betting insights, trends, and picks like the one below:
Phillies vs. Mets Best Bet: Kyle Schwarber Over 0.5 Home Runs
Kyle Schwarber didn’t hit a home run in the Phillies’ most recent series against Washington, but he also sat out the second game with back tightness and made just one plate appearance as a pinch hitter in the third game because of the injury. However, he hit four home runs in last week’s series against the Mets, including a three-homer performance in the Phillies’ 15-3 victory.
Schwarber enters Friday leading MLB with 29 home runs and has the ability to leave the yard with every swing.
- Phillies vs. Mets Player Prop Pick for June 26: Kyle Schwarber Over 0.5 Home Runs (+260)
Top 5 Most-Bet Player Props for PHI-NYM
Both teams feature star-studded rosters, making player props especially popular heading into Friday night’s opener:
- Kyle Schwarber – Home Runs Over 0.5
- Juan Soto – Home Runs Over 0.5
- Bryce Harper – Hits Over 0.5
- Zack Wheeler – Strikeouts Over 6.5
- Bo Bichette – Hits Over 0.5
Wheeler Returns to Queens
Zack Wheeler began his MLB career with the Mets at age 23 in 2013, spending the first five seasons of his career in New York. Although he pitched well for the Mets, it wasn’t until he joined the Phillies in 2020 that he developed into a perennial All-Star, Cy Young contender, and one of the best starting pitchers in baseball.
Wheeler has enjoyed plenty of success against his former team as a member of the Phillies. The veteran right-hander owns a 6-5 record with a 3.36 ERA and 117 strikeouts in 18 regular-season starts against New York, including a victory this past Sunday in Philadelphia in which he allowed just four hits and two earned runs while striking out seven. Wheeler also faced the Mets in the 2024 NLDS, tossing seven scoreless innings of one-hit baseball with nine strikeouts.
Wheeler began the 2026 season on the injured list, but the 36-year-old has been as dominant as ever since returning, entering Friday with a 7-1 record, a 2.11 ERA, a 0.878 WHIP, and 69 strikeouts through his first 11 starts.
Phillies vs. Mets Game Info
- š Where: Citi Field, Queens, NY
- š Date: Friday, June 26
- ā° First Pitch: 7:10 PM ET
- šŗš» TV/Streaming: MLB.TV
- ā¾ Probable Pitchers:
- Phillies: Zack Wheeler
- Mets: Undecided
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Referenced odds are subject to change.
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