Mets vs. Phillies Live: Scores, Highlights & How to Watch Tonight’s Crucial NL East Clash

Friday night in South Philadelphia sets the stage for one of the summer’s marquee National League East battles as the New York Mets visit the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park (7:15 p.m. ET, Apple TV+). Both teams enter the June 20 contest at 45-30, locked in a first-place tie that has the division on edge. NL EAST SHOWDOWN WITH PLAYOFF IMPLICATIONS • Season series: New York leads 4-3. • Standings impact: A win guarantees sole possession of first place heading into the weekend. • Recent form: The Mets are riding a four-game win streak, while Philadelphia is 8-2 in its last 10 at home. PITCHING MATCHUP Mets: RHP Kodai Senga (7-3, 3.11 ERA) Phillies: RHP Zack Wheeler (6-4, 2.98 ERA) Wheeler, a former Met, owns a 2.17 ERA in 12 career starts against his old club, but Senga’s devastating splitter has produced the NL’s third-highest swing-and-miss rate. Expect a low-scoring affair if both aces locate early. KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH • Pete Alonso: Leads MLB with 22 HR and has homered in three straight games. • Bryce Harper: Slashing .327/.420/.585 against right-handed pitching since May 1. • Francisco Lindor: Hitless in his last 15 AB but 5-for-12 lifetime vs Wheeler, including two doubles. • Trea Turner: Six steals in his past seven games, pressuring batteries every trip on base. INJURY REPORT Mets — Starling Marte (quad) remains day-to-day; Edwin Díaz (shoulder) is still two weeks from activation. Phillies — José Alvarado (elbow) is on a rehab assignment; J.T. Realmuto (rest) expected back behind the plate tonight. HOW TO WATCH THE METS VS PHILLIES LIVE STREAM FOR FREE Apple TV+ carries the exclusive national broadcast. New subscribers can claim a seven-day trial, making the game free to stream on smart TVs, phones, tablets and web browsers. Local radio: WCBS 880 (NY) and WIP 94.1 FM (PHI). Out-of-market audio streams are available on MLB.com and the MLB App. BETTING ODDS & PICKS • Phillies ‑125 favorites; Mets +105 underdogs • Over/Under: 7.5 runs The Action Network projects a 3.9-3.7 Phillies edge with a 54% win probability, aligning with the slight home-field price. Bettors looking for value might target the under, given the Wheeler-Senga duel and cooler-than-average June temps. WEATHER AT CITIZENS BANK PARK Forecast calls for 74 °F at first pitch with a light 6 mph cross-breeze from right to left. Humidity is projected at 58%, lending a slight advantage to pitchers as the ball tends to stay in the yard on muggy nights in South Philly. STRATEGIC STORYLINES 1. Managing the Bullpens: Philadelphia’s Craig Kimbrel has thrown on back-to-back days; Rob Thomson may lean on Jeff Hoffman or Seranthony Domínguez if the game tightens late. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza will mix Reed Garrett and Adam Ottavino while Díaz rehabs. 2. Running Game: The Phillies’ 57 stolen bases rank third in the NL. Catcher Tomás Nido’s pop time (1.88 sec) becomes critical against Turner and Harper. 3. Left-Field Defense: With Schwarber DH’ing, Whit Merrifield starts in left, a potential target for Alonso’s opposite-field power. FANTASY & DFS ANGLES • Lock in Wheeler as an SP1 in daily contests; the Mets strike out 24% vs righties. • Harper’s salary is steep but justified: he owns a .940 OPS against Mets pitching this season. • Value flyer: Mets rookie Luisangel Acuña ($2,600 on DK) has multi-hit potential and speed upside. BOTTOM LINE Friday’s Mets vs Phillies clash checks every box for a must-watch MLB game—standings drama, ace pitchers, star power and a prime-time national stream. With Citizens Bank Park expected to sell out and both lineups capable of fireworks, the latest chapter in this storied rivalry could reset the NL East hierarchy by the final out. Tune in early, because every pitch matters when New York and Philadelphia battle for first place in June.