Mets-Phillies NLDS Game 2 FAQ, Lineups (4 ET, FS1)

New York will look to continue its momentum from last week in Game 2 on Sunday at Citizens Bank Park, while Philadelphia aims to even the series before shifting to Citi Field. Although the Phillies were nearly undefeated during their 2022 postseason run and to begin their '23 run, they have now lost three home playoff games dating back to the '23 NL Championship Series against the D-backs.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said after Game 1, “We know we're good, and we have good players. “And we're executing, you know. So we just grind out the at-bats, take it one pitch, one at-bat at a time and good things will happen.”

As for the Phillies, they'll now set their sights on doing something they've never done before: rallying for a series win after losing Game 1. While Philadelphia has dropped each of its previous seven postseason series after losing the opener, it's the only focus right now on Game 2.

“I mean, wash off in the shower, come back with a fresh attitude, ready to win the day,” outfielder Nick Castellanos said.

Here's everything you need to know about Game 2:

When is the game and how can I watch it?
Game 2 will be played Sunday at Citizens Bank Park at 4:08 pm ET It will be televised on FS1.

All games are available in the US on MLB.TV (requires authentication of a participating pay TV provider). Live games are also available in select countries outside the US. For complete details, click here

Who are the starting pitchers?

Mets: RHP Luis Severino (11-7, 3.91 ERA)
Severino will face the Phillies for the third time in his last five starts when he takes the mound. The righty, who made back-to-back starts against Philadelphia in mid-September, allowed three runs in six innings in each of those outings. Severino went 4-1 with a 3.17 ERA over his last eight regular-season starts before earning the win in Game 1 of the Mets' NL Wild Card Series win over the Brewers. Overall, Severino, 30, has a 5.07 ERA in 12 career postseasons (11 starts) between the Yankees and Mets.

Phillies: LHP Christopher Sanchez (11-9, 3.32 ERA)
It was Sanchez, not veteran Aaron Nola, who started in Game 2. And while Sanchez has certainly pitched well enough to earn the nod, the decision largely comes down to the left-hander's pesky home/road divide this season. A first-time All-Star, the 27-year-old Sanchez went 7-3 with a 2.21 ERA in 17 home starts compared to 4-6 with a 5.02 ERA in 14 outings away from Citizens Bank Park. In three starts against the Mets this season, he went 1-0 with a 3.06 ERA — but he had his lone strikeout in seven over seven innings. home Starts Sept. 15 against New York.

What is the starting lineup?

Martinez drew the start at DH against a left-handed pitcher in Sanchez, and Bader made his first postseason start in center field against Tyron Taylor. Bader went 2-for-6 with two walks against Sanchez this season.

Sosa got the start in the third over Alec Boehm, who went 0-for-4 in Game 1 after going 8-for-47 the final two weeks of the regular season after returning from the injured list with a wrist strain.

How will bullpens line up after the starters?
Mets: Closer Edwin Diaz warmed up but did not pitch in Game 1. That means he will now get two days' rest after throwing 39 pitches in Game 3 of the Wild Card Series. This is important, as Reed Garrett will likely go down after two innings. Saturday, and the Mets probably won't have setup men Phil Maton and Ryne Stanek for more than one inning. It remains to be seen whether New York will consider using starting pitcher Tyler Magill in late leverage situations out of the bullpen, since he won't start a game in this series.

Phyllis: While the Phillies' bullpen didn't get the job done in Game 1, the silver lining is that none of their high-leverage guys threw enough pitches to be limited for Game 2. Jeff Hoffman (13 pitches) and Matt Strahm (17 pitches) were knocked around in a disastrous eighth inning, but both were picked up after facing just three batters. Orion Kerkering needed just eight pitches to navigate three batters to end the frame. They should all be available again, along with Jose Alvarado to help close the gap to closer Carlos Estevez.

Hit any notes?
Mets: Jeff McNeil, who has been sidelined since Sept. 6 with a broken right wrist, is expected to rejoin the club Sunday morning in Philadelphia, where the Mets hope he will be able to resume baseball activities after meeting with trainers. his progress. While it's unlikely that McNeil could return in time for a potential NL Championship Series, Mendoza isn't ruling it out. And McNeal will surely play for the World Series if the Mets make it that far.

Phyllis: Right-hander Spencer Turnbull has not pitched since late June after a right lat strain kept him off the NLDS roster. His recovery has been slow, but he's been on the mound the last few weeks, and is likely to pitch next season if the Phillies advance.

Who is hot and who is not?
Mets: Nimmo hasn't exactly been on fire this postseason, but he's had at least one hit in every game, including a key single in Wild Card Game 3 and a go-ahead RBI knock in Game 1 of the NLDS. all seasons; If he gets hot, he can carry the Mets for a while. … Also keep an eye on Alonso, who has done little this postseason outside of his go-ahead home run in Wild Card Game 3. Injuries like that make up for a lot of offense, but New York still wants to see more consistency. at-bats from Alonso, who struck out in each of his first three plate appearances Saturday.

Phyllis: Schwarber had a 1.012 OPS in the final month of the season and promptly went deep in his first at-bat in Game 1 for his MLB-record fifth career leadoff homer. … Harper had a .937 OPS over the last month, while Castellanos had an .858 OPS. … Stott struggled, posting a .623 OPS over the final month, which was just short of his season mark (.671 OPS).

Anything else fans might want to know?