Mets vs. Phillies: NLDS Preview, Matchups, and Predictions .

PHILADELPHIA -  After celebrating their wild postseason run, the Mets must now face the NL East powerhouse, the Phillies, in the NLDS, starting Saturday at Citizens Bank Park. The Mets, coming off dramatic wins against the Braves and Brewers, will look to continue their momentum against a Phillies team that dominated the division.

Philadelphia manager Rob Thomson has his pitching rotation and bullpen perfectly aligned, while the Mets are turning to Kodai Senga for Game 1, a surprising move given their lack of a top-tier starter for the opener. Senga, despite the odds, will aim to defy expectations once again as the Mets have done all season.

The Phillies, who clinched the division back in May and never looked back, are set to start Zack Wheeler in Game 1. Here’s how the two teams stack up:

At the Plate

Both teams excel at getting on base, but the Phillies have a slight edge with stars like Bryce Harper (.373 OBP), Kyle Schwarber, and Trea Turner leading the charge. The Mets, led by Francisco Lindor (.344 OBP), have also been solid, but Philadelphia's lineup is deeper.

Edge: Phillies

Power

Both teams are powerhouses, with the Mets ranking sixth in home runs and the Phillies seventh. Big bats like Pete Alonso for the Mets and Harper and Schwarber for the Phillies promise game-changing moments.

Edge: Even

 On the Basepaths

The Mets are proud of their baserunning efficiency, but the Phillies are better overall, stealing more bases and showcasing speed with players like Bryson Stott and Johan Rojas.

Edge:  Phillies

 Infield

The Mets' middle infield of Lindor and Jose Iglesias is elite, but the Phillies hold the advantage at the corners with Alec Bohm at third and Harper at first.

Edge:  Even

 Outfield

Both teams are fairly even in the outfield, with Brandon Nimmo and Starling Marte holding down the Mets, while Nick Castellanos and Rojas offer solid defense for the Phillies.

Edge: Even

 Bench

Both teams emphasize flexibility and defense, with Jesse Winker and J.D. Martinez providing offensive depth for the Mets and Edmundo Sosa offering defensive versatility for the Phillies.

Edge: Even

 Rotation

While the Mets' rotation has been strong down the stretch, with Sean Manaea and Jose Quintana leading the charge, they’re at a disadvantage early in the series. The Phillies’ duo of Wheeler and Cristopher Sanchez offers a formidable start.

Edge:  Phillies

Bullpen

The Phillies boast a lights-out bullpen, led by closer Carlos Estevez and a group of reliable arms. The Mets’ bullpen has improved but still faces challenges in bridging the gap to Edwin Diaz.

Edge:  Phillies

 Manager

Carlos Mendoza has impressed in his first year managing the Mets, but Rob Thomson’s experience, including an NL pennant in 2022, gives him the upper hand.

Edge:  Phillies

Intangibles

The Mets have overcome adversity all season, from injuries to improbable comebacks. Their never-say-die attitude gives them the edge in the intangible department.