Philadelphia Phillies vs New York Mets Picks and Predictions June 22nd 2025

For First Place: Mets and Phillies Clash in High-Stakes Sunday Night Finale

The National League East has been a rollercoaster all season, and this weekend’s series between its two top teams has been a perfect microcosm of the journey. After trading blowout wins, the New York Mets and host Philadelphia Phillies will battle for sole possession of first place in a high-stakes, winner-take-all rubber match on Sunday night. It’s a marquee matchup with a playoff atmosphere in the heart of June, a game that will set the tone for the summer-long race for the division crown.

The Long Ball Lifts the Mets

Just when it looked like the Mets were in a freefall, their bats erupted in historic fashion. Mired in a seven-game losing streak where their offense had gone dormant, New York exploded on Saturday night, tying a major league record with seven solo home runs in an 11-4 victory. The power display was as sudden as it was stunning, with Brandon Nimmo and Juan Soto each hitting two homers, while Francisco Lindor, Jared Young, and Francisco Alvarez added one apiece. The highlight was a spectacular third-inning sequence where Lindor, Nimmo, and Soto hit back-to-back-to-back home runs to seize a lead they would never relinquish. For a team that had scored just six total runs during their losing streak, the seven homers in one night were a massive release of frustration and a powerful reminder of how dangerous their lineup can be.

A Season of Streaks

The wild swing in performance is something both teams know all too well this season. The Mets’ seven-game skid came directly on the heels of a stretch where they won 15 of 18 games. Similarly, the Phillies entered this series having won 10 of their last 11 games, a hot streak that was preceded by a dismal span where they went just 1-9. This “Jekyll and Hyde” nature has defined the NL East race, making it one of the most unpredictable in baseball.

“It’s baseball,” said Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor, perfectly summing up the experience. “You stay the course. You’re not as bad as you think you are. You’re not as good as you think you are.”

Phillies manager Rob Thomson echoed that sentiment after his team’s big win on Friday. “Trust me, there’s ups and downs to the season,” he said. This kind of volatility makes betting on these teams a fascinating challenge, a topic often explored in our expert betting guide.

Peterson on the Hill for New York

The Mets will hand the ball to left-hander David Peterson (5-2, 2.60 ERA), who has been a steadying force in their rotation this season. Peterson is coming off a solid outing against the Braves where he allowed three runs over seven innings, only to see the bullpen falter in an extra-inning loss. The most interesting subplot for Peterson is his history with Philadelphia. In the regular season, he has struggled, posting a 4.82 ERA in 11 career appearances. However, when the lights were brightest in last year’s NL Division Series, he was dominant, throwing 5 1/3 scoreless innings of relief against the Phillies. The question for Sunday is which version will take the mound in this high-pressure environment.

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Luzardo Looks to Rebound for Philly

The Phillies will counter with their own talented lefty, Jesus Luzardo (6-3, 4.41 ERA). Luzardo is looking to bounce back from a tough outing against the Marlins where he took the loss after allowing four runs in five innings. Like Peterson, Luzardo has a compelling history against his opponent. In eight career starts against the Mets, he has been excellent, posting a 4-2 record with a 3.02 ERA. He will look to tap into that history to cool down a Mets lineup that is suddenly brimming with confidence. This fantastic duel of left-handers will be the top story on the scores and odds board.

The Winner Takes All (For Now)

This isn’t just another game in June for these two MLB teams. The winner of Sunday Night Baseball will wake up on Monday morning in sole possession of first place in the division. For the Mets, it’s a chance to prove their slump is truly over. For the Phillies, it’s an opportunity to reassert their dominance at home and put a cap on a successful stretch of baseball. To see who our experts think will win this crucial divisional showdown, check out our daily MLB picks.