The New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies meet in Game 1 of their best-of-5 NLDS Saturday. First pitch from Citizens Bank Park is slated for 4:08 p.m. ET (FOX). Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's'MLB odds around the'Mets vs. Phillies odds'and make our expert'MLB picks and predictions'for the best bets.
Regular-season series: Phillies won 7-6
The Mets put together an impressive 40-27 run after the All-Star break to secure a spot in the postseason. Their momentum carried them into an NL Wild Card Series with the Milwaukee Brewers. In dramatic fashion, 1B Pete Alonso delivered a clutch 3-run homer in the top of the 9th inning, pushing New York to a thrilling victory. With the win, the Mets advanced to the divisional round for the first time since 2015, reigniting hopes of a deep playoff run.
The Phillies enjoyed an outstanding first half of the season. They posted a 62-34 record before the All-Star break, fueled by an impressive team batting average of .257. Unfortunately, a 33-33 finish after the break let the LA Dodgers surpass them for the best record in baseball. Still, Philadelphia has now reached the divisional round for the third year in a row, showing their consistent competitiveness. They’ll aim to rediscover their early-season success as they push for a deeper playoff run.