On Sunday, the New York Mets (45-31) face off against the Philadelphia Phillies (46-30) at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Keep up to date with all the MLB action, with our expert MLB picks.

Philadelphia comes into this matchup on a three-game winning streak and has won four of their last five games prior to their second game of the series against New York. In Friday’s 10-2 victory over the Mets, Nick Castellanos had a standout performance for the Phillies, going 3-for-5 at the plate. He hit a home run, drove in three runs, and crossed the plate three times himself, playing a key role in the team’s decisive win. This season, Kyle Schwarber has been the Phillies’ main power threat, leading the team with 23 home runs. Close behind in terms of home run production are Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, and Max Kepler, each of whom has hit nine homers so far. Schwarber is also Philadelphia’s leader in RBIs, with a total of 54 to his name this season, making him a central figure in the team’s offensive output. On the other hand, Trea Turner boasts the highest batting average among Phillies regulars, hitting .302—a reflection of his consistency at the plate. Over their last five games, the Phillies’ offense has been clicking, averaging 4.8 runs per contest as they’ve managed to pull ahead by a game against New York in the NL East standings. With this rivalry series carrying significant playoff implications, Philadelphia will be aiming to sustain their strong offensive momentum. Looking at the season as a whole, the Phillies are averaging 4.6 runs scored per game, underlining their status as one of the more productive offenses in the league.

New York enters this game on a seven-game losing streak prior to their second game of the series against Philadelphia. In Friday's matchup against Philadelphia, the Mets suffered a heavy 10-2 defeat. Rookie pitcher Blade Tidwell took the mound for New York, lasting 3.2 innings. During his outing, Tidwell gave up four hits and two earned runs while issuing three walks and striking out four batters. Offensively this season, Pete Alonso has been the Mets' primary power source, leading the team with 18 home runs. Both Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto have also contributed significantly to the Mets’ lineup, each tallying 14 home runs so far this year, making them tied as the team's second-best power hitters. When it comes to driving in runs, Alonso is setting the pace with 64 RBIs, placing him at the top of the team's leaderboard in that category as well. Additionally, Alonso currently boasts the highest batting average among Mets regulars, hitting .291 through the season’s first half. On the pitching side, New York's staff has struggled recently. Over their last five games, the Mets have surrendered an average of 7.2 runs per contest, indicating considerable issues on the mound. To avoid falling further behind in the divisional race, New York will need to see a quick turnaround from their pitching staff and prevent Philadelphia from pulling away atop the standings. Despite their defensive woes, the Mets’ offense has managed to produce, averaging 4.4 runs per game overall this season.

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