PHILADELPHIA -- When the New York Mets begin their National League Division Series on Saturday afternoon against the Philadelphia Phillies, they will hope to author another chapter in what is fast becoming a storybook season. The Mets advanced to the NLDS for the first time since 2015, capitalizing on their incredible regular-season turnaround that saw them rise from a struggling team to a formidable force in the National League.
On the back of their success, the Mets are looking forward to riding their magical week into the postseason. A division series victory against their longtime rivals would be a huge morale boost, further energizing their fans and the team. With their season-long resurgence fresh in their minds, Mets manager Buck Showalter expressed confidence in his team's chances, recalling the moments where they had overcome seemingly impossible odds to clinch crucial victories.
On the other side of the coin, Philadelphia manager Rob Thomson sees his team as well-prepared to face the Mets, especially given their long-standing rivalry. Thomson suggested that familiarity would breed contempt, hinting that the series would be tight and competitive, with every move and every decision intensely scrutinized. Phillies star Bryce Harper who returned to the lineup after a time on the injured list, expressed his enthusiasm about participating in the series and is hopeful that his contribution will inspire the rest of the team.
When the two teams face each other on Saturday afternoon, tensions are likely to be high, with two high-scoring offenses facing off against each other. That offensive punch has been the talk of the town, but Mets' power-hitting first baseman Pete Alonso said that the key to a division series victory would be shutdown pitching and an ironclad bullpen. Alonso admitted that the atmosphere inside Citizens Bank Park for the NLDS opener will be hostile and rocking, but New York starter Max Scherzer will take the mound undaunted.
At this point in the season, individual brilliance is paramount. Aaron Nola, Matt Olson, and Kyle Schwarber headline a dynamic cast of players vying to lead their respective teams in the high-stakes drama. That, combined with a season's worth of buildup, ensures that what transpires over the coming days will leave an indelible mark on the history books. In a spectacular rollercoaster of intensity and skill, these baseball luminaries may script one of the all-time greatest chapter in National League Division Series lore. But only time can tell how this thriller unfolds.