Baseball
Baseball
Phillies Host Mets to Kick Off MLB’s Second Half
Major League Baseball returns from its All-Star break tonight with a single game, as the New York Mets visit Citizens Bank Park to face the Philadelphia Phillies. First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m. ET, exclusively on ESPN, marking the start of a three-game series between the NL East rivals. This standalone matchup is the only MLB action scheduled for Thursday, with the rest of the league resuming play on Friday.
The Phillies, who hosted the Midsummer Classic, are riding high under interim manager Don Mattingly. Since Mattingly took over on April 28 following Rob Thomson’s dismissal, Philadelphia boasts a 45-24 record, tied for the best in MLB during that span. This resurgence has propelled them into a Wild Card spot and within two games of the Braves for the division lead. Their success is attributed to a strong starting rotation, featuring All-Stars Cristopher Sánchez and Jesús Luzardo, alongside Zack Wheeler, and an offense anchored by Kyle Schwarber’s league-leading 32 home runs and Bryce Harper’s consistent production.
In contrast, the Mets enter the second half with a disappointing 40-57 record, placing them well outside the National League playoff picture. Their performance leading up to the August 3 trade deadline will likely dictate the team’s plans for the 2027 season. Despite the team’s struggles, Juan Soto has been a standout performer since recovering from early-season injuries, slashing an impressive .316/.469/.622 with eight home runs over his last 30 games.
New York will send promising 27-year-old right-hander Christian Scott to the mound to open the second half. Scott is making his return this season after Tommy John surgery. Meanwhile, Phillies’ Luke Weaver has been stellar in relief, not allowing an earned run since April 30 over 27 innings across 25 appearances.
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