Major League Baseball is bringing back the Field of Dreams game for the first time since 2022. This will be the third game overall, after the first game saw the Chicago White Sox defeat the New York Yankees and the second saw the Chicago Cubs defeat the Cincinnati Reds.
The Field of Dreams game is inspired by the movie Field of Dreams and takes place next to the film’s original shooting site in Dyersville, Iowa. This will be just one part of a fun and busy 2026 schedule for the Phillies who will also host the 2026 MLB All-Star Game in July.
The Philadelphia Phillies have been selected to play in the game in August 2026, facing off against the Minnesota Twins. Yes, that’s correct, the Phillies and the Twins.
This raises a fair question: why the Twins, and not a marquee opponent that would generate more interest in a bigger Phillies rival? The Twins, who play in the American League Central, seem like an odd choice. There were certainly more compelling options the Phillies could have faced to make the game even more exciting.
These 3 rivals make more sense for Phillies to play in Field of Dreams game than the Twins
While the Twins do have talent — Byron Buxton, for example, is a player who can draw attention — the other three teams would bring more interest to a neutral site, prime time game that features the Phillies. From superstar matchups and big-market appeal to rich postseason history, these teams could have made the Field of Dreams game even more special.
New York Mets
The Phillies' long-time rival New York Mets would have been a perfect choice. Every game between these two teams brings increased interest. The Phillies and Mets met in the 2024 postseason and are currently battling for the 2025 NL East Division crown.
Kyle Schwarber and Pete Alonso remain two of the league’s most clutch hitters and top RBI producers. MLB passed on a golden opportunity here. While it’s true that the Phillies and Mets played a neutral site game in the 2018 Little League Classic (which the Mets won 8–2), and the London Series last year (which the teams split), the Field of Dreams stage would have elevated the rivalry even more.
101 for the win! The @Mets are off to the NLCS! #clinched
— MLB (@MLB) October 10, 2024
(MLB x @BudweiserUSA) pic.twitter.com/2rVdseVVtE
Los Angeles Dodgers
While not a division rival, the Los Angeles Dodgers have significant postseason history with the Phillies. The Phillies eliminated the Dodgers in the NLCS in both 2008 and 2009, and the two clubs have faced each other in 22 total playoff games.
Beyond shared history, both teams consistently contend for the playoffs and feature some of the biggest names in baseball. Shohei Ohtani and Schwarber currently lead the National League in home runs, while Mookie Betts, Bryce Harper, Freddie Freeman, and Trea Turner would bring undeniable star power to this one-of-a-kind event.
That's All-Star Matt Strahm to you pic.twitter.com/nRQal2jAq9
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) July 11, 2024
Atlanta Braves
Like the Mets, the Atlanta Braves are another NL East rival with plenty of recent history against the Phillies. Philadelphia eliminated Atlanta from the postseason in back-to-back years in 2022 and 2023.
Injuries have held the Braves back recently, but when healthy, they’re always in the mix. Star power would be on full display in a matchup that would feature Ronald Acuña Jr., Chris Sale, Zack Wheeler, and Harper, to name a few.
It's Always Loud in Philadelphia. #Postseason pic.twitter.com/KWGR5qklf1
— MLB (@MLB) October 11, 2023