The Philadelphia Phillies have their backs against the wall as they face down possible elimination on Wednesday in Game 4 of the NLDS. They didn't put up much resistance against the New York Mets in Game 3 on Tuesday, dropping an uninspiring 7-2 effort. So much for momentum carrying over from Game 2.
Mets starter Sean Manaea carved up Phillies hitters who were all too eager to swing away, with very few quality at-bats in the game. Aaron Nola did his best to keep his team in it, but a couple of solo home runs got the Citi Field fans riled up. After the Phillies wasted a glorious opportuinity to get back in the game in the top of the sixth, the Mets pulled away 4-0 in the bottom half of the inning.
Nola left with the bases loaded with none out in the sixth, but Orion Kerkering couldn't get out of the jam without surrendering two more runs. A loss seemed like a likely outcome at that point. The Phillies tacked on a couple of late runs, but it didn't matter.
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Now they head into Game 4 with their season on the line and nothing to lose. They'll have to bring a better and more disciplined plate approach to the ballpark today if they want a chance to extend their season.
Manager Rob Thomson decided that Ranger Suárez would be his Game 4 starter no matter the outcome of Game 3 and despite his September struggles. On Tuesday, Suárez said he felt good after his two-inning outing in the team's intrasquad game last week. Not that that will do anything to abate Phillies fans' concerns heading into Game 4.
Probable pitchers for Phillies vs. Mets NLDS Game 4
Ranger Suárez will get the ball in what could be the Phillies final game of the year. He posted a 7.79 ERA over his final four September starts and looked like a shell of his first-half self. The left-hander does have impressive postseason numbers, with a 1.62 ERA and 0.90 WHIP in 33 1/3 innings. That's about all we can hang our hats on at this point.
Jose Quintana will counter for the Mets. The 35-year-old left-hander threw six shutout innings against the Brewers in the Wild Card Series. The veteran started three games against the Phillies this season, going 1-0 with a 2.81 ERA and striking out nine over 16 innings.
Phillies NLDS Game 4 starting lineup
- 1. DH Kyle Schwarber
- 2. SS Trea Turner
- 3. 1B Bryce Harper
- 4. RF Nick Castellanos
- 5. 3B Alec Bohm
- 6. C J.T. Realmuto
- 7. 2B Bryson Stott
- 8. LF Weston Wilson
- 9. CF Brandon Marsh
Mets NLDS Game 4 starting lineup
- 1. SS Francisco Lindor
- 2. 3B Mark Vientos
- 3. LF Brandon Nimmo
- 4. 1B Pete Alonso
- 5. 2B Jose Iglesias
- 6. DH J.D. Martinez
- 7. RF Starling Marte
- 8. CF Tyrone Taylor
- 9. C Francisco Alvarez
How to watch Phillies vs. Mets NLDS Game 4
The Phillies take on the Mets at Citi Field in Game 4 of the NLDS, with a 5:08 p.m. ET start time.
- Date: Tuesday, Oct. 9
- Game time: 5:08 p.m. ET
- National TV channel: FS1
How to stream Phillies vs. Mets NLDS Game 4
How to listen on the radio
- The Phillies broadcast will be on 94 WIP and WTTM 1680.
- Mets fans can tune into the game on Audacy Mets Radio WHSQ 880AM and Audacy App 92.3 HD2.
- ESPN Radio will carry a national broadcast.