Philadelphia Phillies vs New York Mets Picks and Prediction for Saturday, September 19, 2026

On Saturday, the Philadelphia Phillies visit the New York Mets at Citi Field, with the opening pitch scheduled for 4:10 PM ET and televised on ESPN Unlimited/MLB.TV. Philadelphia is 85-68, second in the NL East and four games behind first-place Atlanta with nine games remaining. The Phillies hold the second NL Wild Card position and sit one game ahead of San Diego. Philadelphia has won two straight after beating the Mets 3-0 on Thursday. New York is 69-84, fifth in the NL East and eliminated from playoff contention. The Mets have lost five straight, including Thursday’s 3-0 defeat. Here is a closer look before our free MLB picks.

Philadelphia Phillies Finding Better Results on the Road

Philadelphia has won three of its last five, with two consecutive 3-0 victories over Washington and New York. The Phillies are 44-34 away from home and have scored 684 runs this season. Kyle Schwarber remains the biggest power threat with 45 home runs and 95 RBI, while Bryce Harper is batting .274 with a .387 on-base percentage, .497 slugging percentage, 28 homers and 84 RBI. Trea Turner has added 19 home runs, 57 RBI and 20 stolen bases.

The Phillies are batting .242 with a .312 on-base percentage and .398 slugging percentage, along with 177 home runs. Philadelphia’s pitching has posted a 3.96 ERA and 1.28 WHIP, with opponents batting .246. The staff has recorded 1,484 strikeouts, giving Philadelphia plenty of swing-and-miss production. The Phillies rank 13th in fielding with a .986 percentage and 77 errors, adding steady defense behind a staff that has recorded consecutive shutouts.

Injuries: Jonathan Bowlan (questionable), Jesus Luzardo (out), Caleb Kilian (out), Felix Reyes (out), Johan Rojas (out).

New York Mets Trying to Break a Five-Game Slide

New York has dropped five consecutive games and scored only seven total runs during that stretch. The Mets were shut out by the Yankees and Phillies and scored one run in losses to Baltimore and the Yankees. Juan Soto has been New York’s top power hitter with 25 home runs, 61 RBI and a .906 OPS. Bo Bichette leads the club with 158 hits and 74 RBI while batting .263, and Carson Benge owns a team-best .270 average with 18 home runs.

The Mets are batting .237 with a .308 on-base percentage and .393 slugging percentage, producing 650 runs and 190 home runs. New York’s staff carries a 4.16 ERA and 1.30 WHIP while holding opponents to a .241 average. The Mets have 1,372 strikeouts but have struggled to pair their pitching with consistent scoring recently. New York ranks 23rd defensively with a .983 fielding percentage and 90 errors and is 34-44 at Citi Field.

Injuries: Jared Young (questionable), Cionel Perez (out), Devin Williams (out), Daniel Duarte (out), Robert Stock (out).

Pitching Matchup

Philadelphia Phillies - Andrew Painter

Andrew Painter is 3-9 with a 5.54 ERA and 1.44 WHIP across 115.1 innings. The right-hander has allowed 123 hits and 19 home runs while striking out 100 and walking 43.

New York Mets - Christian Scott

Christian Scott is 4-5 with a 3.76 ERA and 1.26 WHIP in 105.1 innings. Scott has allowed 87 hits and 12 home runs while recording 127 strikeouts against 46 walks.

Philadelphia Phillies vs New York Mets Game Pick

• Philadelphia Phillies

Philadelphia is the pick despite Scott owning the better starting numbers. The Phillies have won three of their last five, including consecutive shutouts, while the Mets have dropped five straight and have scored only seven runs across that span. Philadelphia also has more established production in the middle of the order, led by Schwarber and Harper, and the pitching staff has a 3.96 ERA with 1,484 strikeouts. Painter’s 5.54 ERA creates risk, but New York’s recent scoring struggles make Philadelphia the play today.

Philadelphia Phillies vs New York Mets Over/Under Pick

• Under

The recent scoring pattern makes Under the pick. Philadelphia has held opponents scoreless in consecutive games, while New York has scored two runs or fewer in four of its last five. Scott’s 3.76 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 127 strikeouts in 105.1 innings also create a solid starting point for the Mets. Painter has struggled with a 5.54 ERA, but New York’s lineup has not been producing enough runs lately. With the Mets in a deep offensive slide and Philadelphia pitching well, another lower-scoring game is expected.