The lads from the Big Apple are in good spirits as they travel over to London this weekend. For the first time since July of last season, the New York Mets (27-35) swept a series on the road, taking all three games in D.C. against the Washington Nationals earlier in the week. A strong showing from the lineup was on full display, scoring at least six runs in each of those games. The Mets will look to continue their hot hitting against the Philadelphia Phillies (44-19), who currently have the best record in the National League.

Rob Thomson’s group is executing at a high level in every way possible. The Phillies are scoring 5.08 runs per game, the second-best mark in the league. Their pitching staff also has a 2.92 ERA, which is only bettered by the New York Yankees (2.82 ERA). As a result, the Phillies have opened up a 7.5-game lead over the Atlanta Braves in the National League East. The Mets will most certainly have their hands full this weekend. Let’s take a look at some notes on the two pitching matchups in this series.

J.D. Martinez, Photo by Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Saturday, June 8, 2024: LHP Ranger Suárez (9-1, 1.70 ERA) vs. LHP Sean Manaea (3-2, 3.63 ERA)

Ranger Suárez has been otherworldly this season, owning a league-best 1.70 ERA through 74 innings pitched. His numbers are great. In seven of his first 11 starts, Suárez allowed one earned run or less. The Phillies’ starting rotation includes Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola, yet the 28-year-old Venezuelan has grabbed most of the league-wide attention. There was some concern that Suárez would not be able to pitch this weekend after being struck on the thumb by a line drive last Saturday. But barring a last-minute change, he is set to start in the series opener. Suárez is 3-3 with a 3.56 ERA in 14 career appearances against the Mets, with seven of those being starts.

Sean Manaea has been a lovely addition for the Mets this season. But as good as he has been, he is coming off a pretty disappointing start. The left-hander took the loss against the Arizona Diamondbacks on June 1, allowing five earned runs on six hits in 5 2/3 innings, despite striking out 10. Manaea failed to avoid the big inning, giving up four runs in the third inning. That put the Mets in a hole that they would not be able to climb out of. With the Phillies having one of the best lineups in the game, he will need to be razor-sharp on Saturday. Manaea is 1-1 with a 3.52 ERA in four career appearances (two starts) against them.

Sunday, June 9, 2024: RHP Taijuan Walker (3-1, 5.73 ERA) vs. LHP Jose Quintana (1-5, 5.17 ERA)

Taijuan Walker had a solid first season with the Phillies in 2023, winning a career-high 15 games while pitching to a 4.38 ERA. The start to this season has been much different for the former Met. Walker has two quality starts through seven appearances, both of which were in May. In comparison, he had four quality starts by this point in the season last year. The home run ball has been a major issue for Walker, allowing at least one in six of his first seven starts. Something to watch out for on Sunday. Walker is 1-3 against the Mets in his career, pitching to a 3.44 ERA in seven appearances.

Jose Quintana allowed one run in eight innings against the St. Louis Cardinals on April 28. Since then, he is 0-3 with a 7.14 ERA in 29 innings. Lately, the home run ball has hurt him more than anything else. Quintana has allowed at least two home runs in consecutive starts for the first time since June of 2022. The Phillies are sixth in home runs, so he will need to be wary of that. Quintana is 0-2 in 10 career starts against Philadelphia, pitching to a 3.72 ERA. A good individual performance in London would go a long way for him.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Alec Bohm (PHI)

Alec Bohm, now 27-years-old, is in the prime of his career and playing a big role in the Phillies’ early-season success. He is hitting fewer home runs, but he already has 50 runs batted in 261 plate appearances. If he remains healthy, Bohm is well on his way to surpassing his career-best 93 runs batted in from a season ago. In recent weeks though, he has really struggled at the plate. Over his last 11 starts, he is hitting .167 with a .492 OPS and six strikeouts. A few good games in London could be the recipe for Bohm to get back on track.

J.D. Martinez (NYM)

The Mets have a few players who previously played in the London Series, one of which was J.D. Martinez. As a member of the Red Sox in 2019, the veteran went 6-for-11 with one home run, two doubles, and two runs batted in two games against the Yankees. Martinez will try to continue that success in this short, two-game set against the Phillies, who he owns a .304 career batting average against. Over his last six games, he is slashing .320/.393/.560/.953 with one home run and three runs batted in.