Citi Field and the Phillies

[Gwreck]

With last night’s win, the Mets have won 8 in a row at Citi Field over the Phillies (including the 2024 division series). Since the start of the 2022 season, they are 21-6 at home against Philly.

I for one welcome the idea that it’s in their heads. From The Athletic:

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6575444/2025/08/26/phillies-lose-eighth-straight-game-at-citi-field/

 

[bLOCKQUOTE]No one inside the visitors’ clubhouse at Citi Field will admit it, but maybe this place has infiltrated the collective Phillies’ subconscious. It’s only natural; the Phillies have lost 22 of their last 28 games they’ve played here, including two soul-crushing postseason defeats last October that sent them home. It will be a thing until it’s no longer a thing.

Cristopher Sánchez endured his worst start in more than a year, then Bryce Harper suggested afterward that the Mets had something on Sánchez. This was how the Mets crawled into the Phillies’ heads last October; paranoia spread through the organization that New York had devoted significant resources — through technology and manpower — to detect a pitcher’s tells. Maybe it was something; the Phillies did extensive work on their own pitchers. They looked at J.T. Realmuto’s positioning on specific pitches, too. They inspected things even after they were eliminated. Maybe it was a bluff.

Maybe the Mets have just played better than the Phillies whenever they meet. That is the simple explanation, and the most uncomfortable one. It’s why the Phillies fumbled a three-run lead Monday into a 10-run loss, 13-3, and opened the door just a little bit. It’s still a six-game lead in the National League East, a lead that will remain robust so long as the Phillies aren’t swept here.

But they have now lost eight straight at Citi Field.

[/bLOCKQUOTE]

[Edgy MD]

Losing your top starter and your next guy (who has been matching your ace pitch for pitch all year) getting taken to the cleaners when it is his time to step up can be pretty demoralizing.

The Mets just need to keep on the Phils while they are on their heels.

[Centerfield]

Anything other than a sweep is fine for Philadelphia. If they lose three in a row, then maybe it becomes something.

Tonight is a BIG GAME.