The New York Mets, despite their struggles, still have some notable stars on their team, including Pete Alonso, Francisco Lindor, and Starling Marte. However, a recent advertisement for their London Series game against the Philadelphia Phillies featured Phillies’ stars Bryce Harper and Trea Turner, while the Mets were represented by relievers Adam Ottavino, Reed Garrett, and Jake Reed. Reed, who hasn’t played for the Mets since 2022 and only appeared in nine games for them, had a disappointing stint with the team before being DFA’d and subsequently going unsigned.
On June 8, 1969, Mickey Mantle’s No. 7 was retired by the New York Yankees, marking a significant moment in baseball history. This event is mentioned in contrast to the struggles of current Mets players, who are being outshone by their opponents in the London Series. Despite having some bright spots on their team, including Lindor’s defensive prowess, the Mets as a whole have been underperforming, with their top player only holding a 1.6 WAR.
The Phillies demonstrated their dominance over the Mets during the London Series game by scoring six runs in the fourth inning against Mets pitcher Sean Manaea. The Mets, who had won five of their last seven games before traveling to Europe, were given a reality check by the Phillies’ strong performance. The game highlighted the stark difference in records between the two teams, with the Phillies boasting the best record in baseball while the Mets struggled at 27-35.
The Mets’ inclusion of a Hawaiian shirt featuring both teams’ logos for sale was met with criticism, as the two teams are arch-rivals in the NL East. The choice to sell a collaborative item between the teams was seen as disrespectful to their competitive relationship. Despite the Mets’ attempts to promote the London Series and showcase their stars, the realities of their record and performance on the field were evident during the game against the Phillies.
It is clear that the Phillies, with their strong roster led by Harper and a stacked rotation, are a force to be reckoned with in the MLB, while the Mets have been facing challenges on multiple fronts. The disparity in performance between the two teams was highlighted during the London Series game, where the Phillies’ dominance was on full display. The Mets, despite having some talented players, have struggled to find consistent success and face an uphill battle in competing with top teams in the league.
