UPDATE: The New York Mets are set to face the Philadelphia Phillies tonight in Queens, with starting pitcher Sean Manaea taking the mound amid a troubling August. Manaea has struggled significantly, posting a staggering 7.91 ERA across four outings this month, raising alarms for the Mets as they battle for a Wild Card spot in the National League.
As the game approaches, fans are concerned about Manaea’s performance. He has allowed 22 hits and four home runs in just 19 2/3 innings this month, and the opposition has not been formidable—facing teams like the Guardians and Nationals who rank low in offensive stats.
Tonight, he will confront a red-hot Phillies lineup that boasts a remarkable .794 OPS over the last two weeks, placing them fourth in the league during that stretch. The stakes are high as the Mets aim to maintain their position among the top three Wild Card contenders.
Recent history does not favor Manaea. Eight players from the Phillies’ roster have homered against him before, including Nick Castellanos, who has hit three home runs in just 15 plate appearances against the lefty. Last season, Manaea also struggled against the Phillies, accumulating a 5.40 ERA across 16 2/3 innings in three starts.
Given his current form, many analysts predict Manaea will once again allow at least four earned runs, making the bet to exceed 2.5 earned runs (+105 at Caesars Sportsbook) a compelling choice for bettors.
As the game unfolds at 7:10 PM EDT, all eyes will be on Manaea and whether he can turn his season around against a formidable opponent. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see how this matchup will impact the Mets’ playoff aspirations.
For the latest updates, stay tuned as we bring you live coverage of this critical game. Will Manaea rise to the occasion, or will the Phillies continue their offensive surge?
