Here are five things to watch and predictions as the Mets and Phillies play a four-game series in Philadelphia starting on Monday at 6:45 p.m. on SNY.
5 things to watch
Nolan McLean gets things going
It has been a scintillating start to McLean's big league career, with him carrying a 1.37 ERA and 0.759 WHIP into Monday's outing.
And it was arguably McLean's last start that was his most impressive.
He was hit around a bit in the first inning but locked in after, retiring the last 14 batters he faced. Overall, he allowed two runs on three hits while walking three and striking out seven.
McLean faced the Phillies in his third major league start back on Aug. 27 at Citi Field, and he stifled them, firing eight shutout innings while allowing four hits, walking none, and striking out six.
Who's in center?
It's been an offensive struggle for Cedric Mullins since he was acquired from the Orioles at the trade deadline.
In 108 plate appearances over 29 games, Mullins is slashing just .178/.290/.278.
If there's one issue that's most glaring, it's Mullins' lack of power.
He hit 15 home runs in 91 games earlier this season for Baltimore, but has mustered just one for New York.
With Tyrone Taylor still out due to a hamstring injury, the Mets could conceivably turn to Jeff McNeil as the regular in center field for now, which would allow them to use Brett Baty at second base and Mark Vientos at third base.
The Mets' offense needs to break out
The Mets have scored just 12 runs over their last four games as they've gone 1-3.
Yes, they've run into some really good starting pitching, including Casey Mize last Wednesday and Hunter Greene on Sunday, but the bats need to wake up.
Juan Soto has remained red hot and Francisco Lindor had a huge series against the Reds and has been on fire for about a month. But aside from them, it was a struggle for the offense in Cincinnati.
Against the Phillies, New York will face a rotation that is weakened without Zack Wheeler. But it's still formidable, led by Cristopher Sanchez and Ranger Suarez.
The one true weak spot is Aaron Nola (6.78 ERA, 1.51 WHIP), who gets the ball on Monday.
The out of town scoreboard
The Mets enter this series 7.0 games behind the Phillies for first place in the NL East. So barring a four-game sweep by New York, it's fair to classify the NL East race as essentially over.
As far as the Wild Card race, the Mets are in strong shape, leading the Giants and Reds by 4.0 games and the Diamondbacks and Cardinals by 4.5 games for the third Wild Card spot.
Meanwhile, the Mets trail the Padres by 2.0 games for the second Wild Card spot, and have a three-game series coming up with them later this month at Citi Field.
As the Mets battle the Phillies, the Reds and Padres play each other in San Diego, the Giants host the D-backs, and the Cardinals travel to Seattle to play the Mariners.
Kyle Schwarber has gone cold
Since blasting four home runs against the Braves on Aug. 28, Schwarber hasn't done much.
He's hitting a paltry .152/.317/.212 in 41 plate appearances over his last nine games, and has struck out 13 times during that span.
Schwarber has one extra-base hit in those nine games (a triple) and just one RBI.
It's just a matter of time before Schwarber, who has blasted 49 homers this season and has a .929 OPS, wakes up. The Mets obviously hope it doesn't happen against them.
Predictions
Who will the MVP of the series be?
Francisco Lindor
Lindor has been a beast for about a month, hitting .386/.475/.634 with five homers, 10 doubles, and 10 stolen bases in 120 plate appearances over 25 games dating back to Aug. 12.
Which Mets pitcher will have the best start?
Sean Manaea
Tuesday's start is a huge one for Manaea, who needs to lock in.
Which Phillies player will be a thorn in the Mets' side?
Bryce Harper
It's been a relatively quiet September for Harper, who will need to step up with Trea Turner out due to a hamstring injury.
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