Mets finally return home with Citi Field ready for Game 3

Plus, the two things New York needs to correct if they intend to advance to the NLCS...

Andrew Steele

Oct 08, 2024

What’s Up with the Mets? 🚩

The Mets finally return to Citi Field after two weeks for Game 3 of the NLDS against the Phillies at Citi Field on Tuesday
LHP Sean Manaea will get the start for the Mets in Game 3. LHP Jose Quintana will be on the mound for Game 4 on Wednesday
RHP Kodai Senga “continues to feel good” after his Game 1 start, and he could be the Game 5 starter if this series goes that long
LHP David Peterson’s role continues to be “fluid” and he could be used in Game 5 if needed, even if he does pitch in relief in Game 4
Mets icon Keith Hernandez will throw out the ceremonial first pitch to fellow franchise legend John Franco for Game 3 on Tuesday. Daniel Murphy will throw out the first pitch on Wednesday
The Mets will also be hosting a block party for Games 3 & 4, which will get underway at 1:30 PM EDT. Gates will then open at 2:30 PM EDT and each fan in attendance will receive a rally towel each day
New York held a voluntary workout at Citi Field on Monday with mostly pitchers and players needing treatment in attendance
SS Francisco Lindor is a finalist - one of 10 from the National League - for the Hank Aaron Award, which goes to the most outstanding offensive performer in each league during the regular season

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GAME THREE

Match-up: Mets (1-1) vs. Phillies (1-1)

Where: Citi Field - Flushing, NY

Starters: LHP Sean Manaea vs. RHP Aaron Nola

When: 5:08 PM EDT

Where to Watch: FS1

Injury Updates 🏥

2B Jeff McNeil (fractured right wrist) took batting practice at Citi Field on Monday, and he could be available if the Mets reach the NLCS

Did you know? ⁉️

The 2024 MLB postseason marks the first time in the Division Series era (since 1995, plus 1981), that all four series are tied at 1-1 after two games
1B Pete Alonso has five homers and a 1.050 OPS in 50 career at-bats against Aaron Nola, who will start Game 3 for the Phillies

As series heads to Queens, Mets need to focus on two keys to advance… ✍️

Mets baseball is finally returning to Citi Field.

Postseason baseball is finally returning to Queens.

The Mets will play a game in their own backyard for the first time since Sept. 22. They will also be playing their first postseason game at their own ballpark since 2022.

So, all in all, Tuesday will be an incredibly special occasion for everyone connected with the organization. Citi Field should be absolutely rocking and the Mets now have a chance to clinch a playoff series at home for the first time since their current home opened in 2009.

Of course, it would be foolish to get too ahead of ourselves.

After pulling off more late-inning heroics in Game 2, the Mets woke up a beast and the Phillies answered with some walk-off magic of their own. Philadelphia is a legitimate World Series contender and the Mets are going to have to play near-perfect baseball if they want to advance.

They will also need two things in particular to happen if they do want to continue this magical October run…

Firstly, the Mets need to hope that Edwin Díaz can get the train back on the tracks and pitch like the elite shutdown closer he’s been in the past. The righty has endured a year full of the highest highs and the lowest lows, with the crushing collapses overshadowing the electric saves.

Díaz’s latest implosion came in Game 2 as he allowed three runs, paving the way for the Phillies to come back and even the series. It is clear that the two-time All-Star has issues right now. He can’t throw his fastball for a strike. The command is just not there. He’s struggled with his slider too. Confidence also appears to be a problem. Oh, and Díaz did throw 130 pitches over eight days. So, he may be gassed too.

But, with all that said, Díaz is still New York’s best option in high leverage situations. The rest of the bullpen is filled with question marks with every reliever having their own set of flaws. They are all running on fumes, too.

Díaz, despite his struggles, has shown even this year that he can be a shutdown arm in the biggest of moments. And, if the Mets are to get past the Phillies, they are going to need at least one jaw-dropping, spectacular outing from Díaz over the next three potential games. That’s a guarantee.

However, the Mets also need one other thing to happen if they are to move on to the NLCS for the first time since 2015….

They need Bryce Harper to stop being Bryce Harper.

The Phillies star has come exactly as advertised so far in this series, reaching base six times with a home run, a double and four walks in the opening two games of the series. Furthermore, he caused plenty of damage in Game 2 and played a key role in the Phillies coming back to win that game.

Harper is money in October. We all knew that coming into this series. He owns a 1.024 OPS in the postseason for his career, while he’s done nothing but rake for the Phillies in the playoffs over the past two years. Plus, the two-time MVP was a Mets killer during the regular season, hitting four home runs and four doubles with a 1.027 OPS in 12 games.

There is no easy way to solve Harper, either. He’s an old school slugger who will punish even the smallest of mistakes. He can expand the strike zone, he can hit anywhere for power and he’s extremely disciplined too.

Sometimes it is near impossible to slow down an elite player. Especially someone like Harper who always finds a way to elevate his game in the biggest moments.

But, if the Mets want to keep this remarkable season going, and if they want to create a truly unforgettable week at Citi Field, they will need to figure out ways to both get Díaz back to his best and to stop Harper from being at his.

If they can accomplish those two things, we could be in for two truly incredible days in Queens.

The Championship Chase 🏆

Tigers ace Tarik Skubal tossed seven innings of scoreless ball with eight strikeouts, before Kerry Carpenter blasted a three-run home run in the ninth to win the game for Detroit and even the series against Cleveland
The Royals limited the Yankees’ bats to win Game 2 4-2 and earn a split at Yankee Stadium, with the ALDS now heading back to Kansas City tied
The Dodgers hope Freddie Freeman (sprained right ankle) will be ready for Game 3 against the Padres on Tuesday after the star first baseman was taken out of Game 2 after six innings