Mets’ Pitching Continues to Impress in 5-1 Win Over Phillies, Extending Winning Streak to Six

Heading into their series against the powerful Philadelphia Phillies, there were questions about whether the Mets' pitching staff, which had been dominant early in the season, could hold up against such a potent lineup. Two major league scouts voiced similar concerns before the series began on Monday.

One scout noted, “Facing the Phillies is definitely a step up from many of the teams they've faced so far, so I’ll be impressed if they can shut them down.”

Another scout added, “The Phillies have a much more disciplined lineup than last year, so if the Mets can keep doing what they've been doing, it will be a huge statement.”

Well, the Mets have made that statement loud and clear. Despite those initial doubts, the Mets' pitching has not only stood tall but thrived, taking the first two games of the series against the Phillies.

On Tuesday, the Mets defeated Philadelphia 5-1, with Griffin Canning battling through five tough innings, and the bullpen shutting down the Phillies for the final four. As a result, the Mets' team ERA dropped to 2.37, the best in all of Major League Baseball.

Even in Monday’s narrow 5-4 victory, the Mets' pitching had been superb, limiting the Phillies to just one run through eight innings. The only hiccup came when Carlos Mendoza’s decision to extend Max Kranick for a third inning led to a three-run home run off Edwin Diaz.

After Tuesday’s win, one scout texted me simply: "I’m impressed."

Indeed, the Mets are turning doubters into believers. Despite an offense that has occasionally struggled and limited contributions from Juan Soto, the Mets have found ways to win—thanks to the red-hot bats of Pete Alonso and Francisco Lindor.

Alonso is hitting .444 with two outs and runners in scoring position, showing significant growth in clutch situations after a rough 2024 season. Lindor, after going 3-for-5 in the game, is hitting .301 for the month of April, which is especially notable given his history of slow starts.

One of the keys to the Mets’ success on Tuesday was their approach against Phillies starter Cristopher Sanchez, who had been dominant in his last outing with 23 swings-and-misses on his changeup. The Mets made it a priority to foul off his pitches early, forcing Sanchez to throw 58 pitches in just two innings before he was removed due to forearm tightness. The Mets capitalized, scoring on Mark Vientos' double and Lindor’s opposite-field single, both off Sanchez’s changeup and fastball.

“We had to respect both his changeup and his fastball,” Vientos said. “I had a plan, and I executed it. Our whole team was grinding. That’s what I love about this lineup—we don’t give away at-bats.”

Confidence is high in the Mets’ clubhouse, and much of it stems from their pitching staff. Tylor Megill and Canning, two starters who have stepped up due to injuries, have proven their worth. Canning, in particular, made a huge pitch with two outs and two runners on in the fifth, striking out Nick Castellanos with a nasty slider.

The bullpen, too, has been untouchable. On Tuesday, Huascar Brazoban, A.J. Minter, Ryne Stanek, and Jose Butto each threw a scoreless inning, lowering the bullpen's ERA to 2.47, third-best in the majors.

For comparison, the starting rotation’s ERA of 2.29 is the best in the majors, even without any high-profile stars.

Returning to those scouts’ doubts, one admitted on Monday: “I wasn’t sure about their rotation, but they’re doing something right, getting the most out of their guys. I still wanted to see how they do against the Phillies.”

Well, the Mets have shown they’re more than capable of handling the challenge. Their dominance continues.