At the end of April, the Mets and Phillies were in a similar position in the standings.
With a 12-game losing streak, the Mets were 11 games under .500 at the end of the month. The Phillies found themselves seven games under .500 after dropping 10 games in a row late in the month, leading to the firing of Rob Thomson.
While the Mets have treaded water, going 23-20 since, the Phillies have been one of the best teams in baseball from May on, going 28-15 under the direction of Don Mattingly.
Now, the two sides will meet for the first time this season at 6:40 p.m. on Thursday night at Citizens Bank Park.
The Phillies are in decent shape at 6.5 games back of the Braves in the NL East but in the second wild card spot. The Mets, meanwhile, need to continue to make up ground after dropping two out of three against the Reds earlier this week. At 33-41, the Mets are 5.5 games back of the final wild card spot.
NY Mets, Phillies probable starting pitchers for Thursday
The Mets will be hoping that Sean Manaea can replicate the performance he turned in during his first start of the season last week.
The veteran left-hander held the Braves to two earned runs on four hits across six innings with six strikeouts but suffered the loss. In 15 appearances this season, Manaea is 1-2 with a 4.78 ERA and 1.35 WHIP across 49 innings.
Aaron Nola is slated to start for the Phillies. The veteran right-hander has been shaky this season, posting a 3-4 record with a 5.86 ERA and 1.47 WHIP in 14 starts this season. Nola allowed three earned runs in 4⅔ innings last time out against the Brewers.
NY Mets announce Thursday lineup vs Phillies
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