Credit: John Jones-USA TODAY Sports

Friday, June 25, 2021 • 4:10 P.M.
Citi Field • Flushing, NY
GAME ONE: RHP Aaron Nola (5-4, 4.22) vs. RHP Taijuan Walker (6-3, 2.42)
GAME TWO: LHP Matt Moore (0-1, 7.36) vs. LHP David Peterson (2-5, 5.31)
SNY • WCBS 880 AM • WQBU 92.7 FM

The Mets picked up a critical win on Wednesday – splitting the series with the Braves. Meanwhile, the Phillies had a devastating loss on Wednesday. The NL East has essentially collapsed with the Phillies backsliding, the Braves stalling in neutral and the Nationals surging. The Phillies go into this weekend and four games against the Mets desperate to get back on track. New York goes into the weekend hoping to prove they’re healthy and push the Phillies deep into the cellar of the division.

Mets Lineup

  1. Jeff McNeil – 2B
  2. Francisco Lindor – SS
  3. Michael Conforto – RF
  4. Pete Alonso – 1B
  5. Dominic Smith – LF
  6. James McCann – C
  7. Kevin Pillar – CF
  8. Luis Guillorme – 3B
  9. Taijuan Walker – RHP

Phillies Lineup

  1. Odubel Herrera – CF
  2. Rhys Hoskins – 1B
  3. Bryce Harper – RF
  4. J.T. Realmuto – C
  5. Alec Bohm – 3B
  6. Travis Jankowski – LF
  7. Ronald Torreyes – SS
  8. Nick Maton – 2B
  9. Aaron Nola – RHP

Taijuan Walker will start the first game for the Mets. Over 13 starts and 74 1/3 innings this season, he has a 2.42 ERA, 3.01 FIP, 1.05 WHIP and a 160 ERA+. He’s coming off a rough start against the Nationals where he allowed four runs from 10 hits and no walks in 6 1/3 innings in a game the Mets eventually lost 6-3.

He’s faced the Phillies twice this year. The first time at home, he allowed one run over 4 1/3 innings with three hits and three walks while striking out eight. His second time, in Philly, he allowed four runs from seven hits and a walk in six innings.

Walker has the following numbers against Philly:

  • Ronald Torreyes 3-3, 2 2B
  • Alec Bohm 4-6, 2B, HR, 2 BB
  • Rafael Marchan 0-1, BB, K
  • J.T. Realmuto 0-1, K
  • Andrew McCutchen 2-11, 2B, 5 K
  • Rhys Hoskins 1-5, 3 K
  • Bryce Harper 1-7, BB
  • Brad Miller 0-4, 2 BB, 2 K
  • Odubel Herrera 0-3

The Mets’ bats broke out on Wednesday and they’ll try to keep that going against Aaron Nola. Nola has pitched in 15 games (85 1/3 innings) this year with a 4.22 ERA, 3.64 FIP, 1.22 WHIP and a 94 ERA+.

He’s coming off his worst start of the season against the Giants, where he allowed six runs over 2 1/3 innings from six hits, three walks and two homers. He faced the Mets in consecutive starts in April, where he allowed four runs over nine innings from 13 hits and three walks, while striking out 12.

The Mets have the following career numbers against Nola:

  • Francisco Lindor 2-4, 2B, BB
  • Pete Alonso 7-25, 2B, 3 HR, BB, 7 K
  • Luis Guillorme 2-5, BB, K
  • Kevin Pillar 3-7, 2 K
  • Dominic Smith 9-32, 6 2B, HR, 12 K
  • Jeff McNeil 7-25, 2B, HR, 3 BB, 6 K
  • Jonathan Villar 4-18, 2 2B, 3 BB, 5 K
  • Michael Conforto 7-40, 3 2B, HR, 5 BB, 15 K
  • Jose Peraza 3-13, 2 K
  • James McCann 1-5, K
  • Albert Almora 0-4, BB, K
  • Billy McKinney, 0-3

Game Notes

Right-hander Sean Reid-Foley has been recalled from Triple-A Syracuse to serve as the Mets’ 27th man for today’s doubleheader.

Let’s Go Mets!