Mets vs Phillies today: Lineups, TV and start time
The New York Mets face the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on Saturday, July 18, 2026, with first pitch moved up to 3:05 p.m. ET ahead of expected thunderstorms. Sean Manaea starts for the Mets against Jesús Luzardo, and the Mets Phillies game airs on SNY and NBCSP.
An eventful weekend series continues in Philadelphia after the Mets won the opener and snapped a three-game losing streak. The Phillies enter as moneyline favorites, with Luzardo giving them a clear pitching edge on paper. For more oddball sports and viral sports news, check our Bizarre World coverage.
Key Takeaways
- First pitch is at 3:05 p.m. ET at Citizens Bank Park, moved up for expected thunderstorms.
- Sean Manaea (2-4, 4.56 ERA) starts for New York; Jesús Luzardo (8-4, 3.51 ERA) starts for Philadelphia.
- TV: SNY and NBCSP; Mets radio on Audacy Mets Radio WHSQ 880AM, the Audacy App, and 92.3 HD2.
- Phillies are favored on the moneyline; Juan Soto is day-to-day after a sore left calf Friday but is listed as the Mets DH.
- Weather outlook: humid with rain in the forecast and moderate winds blowing out to center field.
What are the Mets and Phillies lineups for today?
According to Yahoo Sports, the Mets bat Francisco Lindor at shortstop, Juan Soto at DH, Bo Bichette at third, Francisco Alvarez catching, Carson Benge in right, Marcus Semien at second, Tyrone Taylor in left, A.J. Ewing in center, and Eric Wagaman at first.
The Phillies counter with Trea Turner at shortstop, Kyle Schwarber at DH, Bryce Harper at first, Alec Bohm at third, Edmundo Sosa in left, Brandon Marsh in right, J.T. Realmuto catching, Derek Hill in center, and Bryson Stott at second.
What time does Mets vs Phillies start and where can you watch?
First pitch is scheduled for 3:05 p.m. ET on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. Coverage is listed on SNY for Mets fans and NBCSP for the Phillies side, with Mets radio on Audacy Mets Radio WHSQ 880AM, the Audacy App, and 92.3 HD2.
The earlier start was set in advance of expected thunderstorms. Forecast notes describe humid conditions with rain possible and moderate winds blowing out toward center field.
Who has the pitching edge in this Mets Phillies matchup?
Luzardo holds the stronger recent profile. He is fourth in MLB in strikeouts and ranks above the 80th percentile in most major pitching metrics, aside from walk rate and chase rate. Manaea is 2-4 with a 4.56 ERA and has been linked as a possible trade deadline piece for a contender.
Manaea’s last four starts show a 4.35 ERA and 1.258 WHIP, improving to 3.75 and 1.083 over his last two. Philadelphia has scored about 3.5 runs per game over its last 10, nearly a full run below its season average.
What are the Mets Phillies odds and series stakes?
Published odds list the Mets around +156 and the Phillies around −163 on the moneyline, with a run line of Mets +1.5 / Phillies −1.5 and a total near 8.5. The Mets sit in last place in their division after high preseason expectations, while the Phillies are strong against losing clubs.
Soto left Friday’s game in the eighth with a sore left calf—the same issue that sent him to the injured list in April—and was listed as day-to-day, though he appears in today’s lineup as DH.