Thursday, July 16, 2026 • 6:10 PM
Citizens Bank Park • Philadelphia, PA
RHP Christian Scott (2-1, 3.17) vs. RHP Aaron Nola (3-6, 5.75)
ESPN

The Mets head to Philadelphia after a dreadful series against the Red Sox. The Phillies host the Mets after hosting the 2026 All-Star Game. ESPN has the rights for tonight’s game, which is why the Mets and Phillies are the only teams playing today (and probably why the teams have an off-day tomorrow). The weather today, though, is closer to science fiction than a normal summer in Philadelphia. Wildfire smoke has invaded Canada. In 2023, the Phillies played a game with an AQI between 150 and 200. They then postponed the game the next day when the AQI was above 200. It’s the Mets vs Phillies plus the Mets and Phillies vs the smoke. As a measure of caution, the Phillies moved the start time up by a hour. Let’s start the second half of the season!

Denis Poroy-Imagn Images

Mets Lineup

  1. A.J. Ewing – CF
  2. Juan Soto – LF
  3. Bo Bichette – 3B
  4. Francisco Lindor – SS
  5. Carson Benge – RF
  6. Jorge Polanco – DH
  7. Jared Young – 1B
  8. Brett Baty – 2B
  9. Francisco Alvarez – C

Starting Pitcher: Christian Scott

Christian Scott has made 12 starts this season, totaling 54 innings with a 3.17 ERA, 4.10 FIP, 1.296 WHIP and a 132 ERA+. He’s coming off a solid start against the Royals eight days ago, where he held them scoreless over five innings, scattering three hits and a walk while striking out five. He has had some bumps overall in his last four starts, averaging a 4.50 ERA and 6.10 FIP over 18 innings. His strikeout count has also jumped, racking up 24 in his last 18 innings. This stretch includes a start against the Phillies where he allowed two runs over 4 1/3 innings on three hits and two walks. The Phillies have the following stats against Scott:

Opposing Lineup

  1. Trea Turner – SS
  2. Kyle Schwarber – DH
  3. Bryce Harper – 1B
  4. Brandon Marsh – LF
  5. Alec Bohm – 3B
  6. Bryson Stott – 2B
  7. J.T. Realmuto – C
  8. Gabriel Rincones Jr. – RF
  9. Justin Crawford – CF

Aaron Nola has made 19 starts this season, totaling 97 innings with a 5.75 ERA, 4.67 FIP, 1.433 WHIP and a 79 ERA+. Nola’s last five starts have been close to his season performance, posting a 5.47 ERA, 5.11 FIP over 26 1/3 innings while striking out 31 batters. This includes a start against the Mets where he allowed three runs, two earned, over five innings on seven hits, including two home runs. Homers have been an issue for Nola this season. He’s allowed nine his last six starts, including two long balls in four consecutive starts to end June. The Mets have the following career stats against Nola:

  • Francisco Alvarez 3-8, HR, 2 K
  • Brett Baty 1-12, 3 BB, 4 K
  • Carson Benge 1-3, K
  • Bo Bichette 4-13, 2B, HR, 3 K
  • A.J. Ewing 2-3, 2B
  • Francisco Lindor 8-41, 2 2B, HR, 2 BB, 11 K
  • Juan Soto 12-45, 3 2B, 5 HR, 17 BB, 11 K
  • Tyrone Taylor 5-14, 2 2B, BB, 4 K
  • Luis Torrens 2-6
  • Jared Young 1-5, HR, K

Game Notes

  • The Mets activated Marcus Semien from the injured list and designated Zack Short for assignment. Semien missed the last three weeks with a left hip flexor strain.
  • The Mets’ 2027 schedule was revealed Thursday – they will open the season against the Marlins on March 25.
  • Andy Green said Clay Holmes threw in Brooklyn on Tuesday and is getting closer to a rehab assignment. Luis Robert Jr. will play for Syracuse on Friday and could rejoin the team soon.

Three Things To Watch For

  1. Juan Soto. After being snubbed last year, Soto finally played as a Met in the All-Star Game earlier this week. He has a 2.8 bWAR and 167 OPS+ this season, slashing .290/.405/.562 over 78 games played. He’s been working walks (55) and crushing the ball (21 home runs). Not only does Soto have excellent career numbers against Aaron Nola (1.134 OPS in 45 AB’s), he has terrific numbers in Philadelphia. Over his career, he has played 48 games in Citizens Bank Park, slashing .335/.438/.687 with 18 home runs.
  2. Francisco Lindor. Lindor’s error cost the Mets in a big way last Sunday, but Lindor was also the reason why the Mets had the lead in the first place, going 2-for-4 at the plate with a double and a home run. Lindor has played in 16 games since returning from injury, going 12-for-60 at the plate with a double, a triple and three home runs (.200/.273/.400). If the Mets were to pull off a miracle, they’ll need Lindor to put together a scorching hot stretch.
  3. Hug Watch. We are now in the stretch run for the 2026 trade deadline. The Mets bullpen has been a strength this season, and there are several players who will and could be moved. Brooks Raley and A.J. Minter are both free agents at the end of the season and are very likely to be moved. Luke Weaver will be one of the best relievers on the market, but he’s still under contract for another season, so there’s no guarantee the Mets move him. Tyrone Taylor, who has flashed power since returning from injury, will probably be traded. There are also rumblings about Luis Robert Jr. despite his injury. Luis Torrens and Francisco Alvarez have both been in the rumor mill. Not a factor for today’s game, but starting pitchers Freddy Peralta and Clay Holmes will be on the trading block as well. It’s almost hug watch season!

Let’s go Mets!