The Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets are set to take their rivalry outside the I-95 corridor and onto the international stage when the two National League East foes face off in the London Series on June 8 and 9 of this year. The much-anticipated series is the latest MLB game to take place in the United Kingdom in recent years.
According to a recent post on X (the social media site formerly known as Twitter) from baseball insider Mike Rodriguez, in 2025, the Phillies and Mets could square off again in another international territory — this time in the Dominican Republic.
Breaking News: According to sources, MLB returns to the Dominican Republic for 2025 with a match between two National League teams with great and attractive players. The probability that it will be again at the Quisqueya stadium is extremely high. Team names mentioned #Mets and… pic.twitter.com/fHbw8RsdZt
— Mike Rodriguez (@mikedeportes) March 12, 2024
While an official announcement has yet to be made by Major League Baseball, the recent series between the Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays this past weekend in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, could be the start of a new yearly MLB showcase that takes place in the baseball-obsessed island country. It's still yet to be known if next year's rumored Phillies versus Mets series would take place during spring training or the regular season.
2024 will feature three regular season series outside of the US
The concept of playing baseball outside of the United States isn't new, but 2024 will see the league take the professional game to three different countries this season. The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres will open the new season with a two-game series in Seoul, South Korea, from March 20-21.
The Mexico City Series will take place from April 27-28, with the Houston Astros facing the Colorado Rockies at Estadio Alfredo Harp Helú, Mexico City. This will be the seventh regular season series played south of the border and the second in consecutive years.
The Phillies-Mets London Series games in June will be an obvious mid-season highlight for fans. Former Phillies second baseman Chase Utley currently holds the title of MLB ambassador to Europe and has been living in England and trying to promote the sport ahead of the London Series, according to Natasha Dye of People.
Chase Utley is moving to England to spread the gospel of baseball as MLB’s ambassador to the United Kingdom. He’s already converted one Brit into a Phillies diehard. Now @UKPhillies just wants to share a pint with Utley. https://t.co/cRoI9RJSb7
— Matt Breen (@matt_breen) August 18, 2022
If the most recent reports are correct, the Philadelphia Phillies will be on the international stage twice in the next few seasons. Phillies fans will have the opportunity to show the world how loud they really are when they play abroad in 2024 and 2025.