Wednesday holds the promise of a rare celebration for the Mets at Citi Field, a venue that has never hosted such a momentous occasion in its 16-year existence. Despite their storied history, the Mets have never clinched a significant victory at their home park. When they secured the National League East in 2015, it was in Cincinnati. Their subsequent triumphs came in Los Angeles, Chicago, and their playoff successes in 2016 and 2022 occurred in Phillies vs Mets. This year, celebrations again eluded Citi Field, unfolding in Atlanta and once more in Milwaukee.
However, the Philadelphia Phillies have a divergent script planned for Game 4 of the NL Division Series, set for Wednesday at 5:08 p.m. ET. With elimination looming large, the Phillies must secure a victory or risk their impressive 95-win season abruptly ending in the opening round of the playoffs.
To save their season, the Phillies will rely on left-hander Ranger Suárez, one of the top pitchers of the season’s first half, who has, however, seen his performance unravel as the season waned. The Mets, on the other hand, will counter with Jose Quintana, whose form has been the inverse of Suárez’s, starting off shaky but finding his rhythm as the season progressed.
Should the Phillies emerge victorious, they’ll force a winner-takes-all Game 5 on Friday at Citizens Bank Park. A loss, however, would send them home for the winter.
Outfielder Nick Castellanos captured the gravity of the situation: “As a group, this is the closest to death we’re ever going to get. So, in a way, we should feel the most alive. We’re only promised tomorrow.”
Game 4 is scheduled for 5:08 p.m. ET at Citi Field, with FS1 providing the live broadcast. For fans in the U.S., the game will also be available on MLB.TV, subject to Pay TV provider authentication. Fans in select countries outside the U.S. can catch the action live as well.
Suárez’s season, once brimming with Cy Young potential, took a sharp detour when a back injury sidelined him. He began the year with a stellar 10-1 record and a 1.75 ERA across his first 15 starts. However, the wheels came off as he went 0-4 with a bloated 6.67 ERA over his next five appearances. Suárez, who made his first All-Star appearance, sat out the Midsummer Classic to recover but ultimately found himself on the injured list. Since his return in late August, Suárez has been a shadow of his early-season self, posting a 5.74 ERA over his last seven outings.
Meanwhile, Quintana enters the spotlight on a remarkable roll. After wrapping up the regular season with a razor-sharp 0.74 ERA over his final six starts, he pitched a gem in Wild Card Series Game 3 against the Brewers, delivering six scoreless innings — four more than initially planned by Mets officials. Quintana, pitching on extra rest, is eager to extend his postseason pedigree. “At this stage, every game feels like Game 7,” Quintana said.
For the second consecutive game, the Mets will start a left-hander, which could lead to a lineup adjustment for the Phillies. Edmundo Sosa might get the nod at second base over Bryson Stott. Additionally, after Austin Hays’ struggles at the plate in Game 3, Phillies manager Rob Thomson could consider starting Weston Wilson in left field. Wilson, who posted a blistering .341 average with a 1.026 OPS against lefties in the regular season, could be a strategic choice.
As for the Phillies’ bullpen, right-hander Spencer Turnbull, sidelined since June with a lat injury, remains a long shot for the NLDS roster. Nonetheless, he’s been throwing off the mound in recent weeks, and there’s a chance he could return if the Phillies advance.
The Phillies vs Mets, meanwhile, are awaiting the return of Jeff McNeil, who has been recovering from a fractured right wrist since early September. McNeil rejoined the team in Philadelphia and has begun ramping up baseball activities. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza hasn’t ruled out McNeil’s return for a potential NLCS that could kick off next Sunday. McNeil might even be ready for the World Series should the Mets advance that far.
For now, though, the focus remains on Game 4 — a game that holds the weight of an entire season for both teams, and perhaps the hope of an unforgettable home celebration for the Mets.
