How to watch Mets vs Phillies on PIX11 after Mendoza exit
The New York Mets host the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday, June 26, 2026, at 7:10 p.m. ET at Citi Field on WPIX (PIX11), with rookie Zach Thornton facing Zack Wheeler as interim manager Andy Green debuts after Carlos Mendoza's departure. The phillies mets rivalry returns to Queens as New York tries to stop a six-game skid and avoid more humiliation after a Cubs sweep at Citi Field.
Key Takeaways
- Friday's series opener airs at 7:10 p.m. ET on WPIX in the New York market.
- Zach Thornton makes his second MLB start for the Mets against Zack Wheeler, who beat New York on NBC last Sunday.
- The Mets are 34-47 on a six-game losing streak; the Phillies are 45-36 and hold the NL's top Wild Card spot.
- Last weekend's Mets-Phillies Sunday Night Baseball drew 3.0 million viewers on NBC and Peacock, NBC's second-largest MLB audience of 2026.
- In-market fans can stream PIX11 via TV provider login or an MLB/Amazon subscription package.
Why does this Phillies-Mets series matter right now?
The Mets enter this weekend in crisis. After Philadelphia took two of three last week, New York was swept by the Cubs at Citi Field, including a doubleheader where the nightcap featured six infield errors. The club traded David Peterson, announced Mendoza's departure, and installed Andy Green as interim skipper.
At 34-47, the Mets are on pace for 68 wins and sit 9.5 games out of a playoff spot. The Phillies are the opposite story: 45-36, winners of seven of their last 10, and one game clear of Chicago for the top NL Wild Card. Don Mattingly's club is 35-17 since replacing Rob Thomson.
How can you watch Mets vs Phillies on June 26, 2026?
Friday's game airs on WPIX (PIX11) in the New York market at 7:10 p.m. ET. For more regional listings and streaming options, see our Streaming & TV Alerts hub.
According to SNY's watch guide, in-market viewers can stream PIX11 through a participating TV provider in the NYC metro area or purchase an in-market package via MLB and Amazon. Fans can also authenticate through MLB.com or the MLB App to access the PIX11 feed on mobile devices.
Saturday's matchup pits Christian Scott against Alan Rangel, while Sunday features Jesus Luzardo for Philadelphia against a Mets starter still to be determined.
Who is starting for the Mets and Phillies on Friday?
Zach Thornton gets the ball for New York in David Peterson's old rotation spot. The left-hander allowed four earned runs over 4 2/3 innings in his May 20 debut against Washington and carries an 8.31 ERA in the majors. Wheeler opposes his former club after going 5 2/3 innings with two earned runs and seven strikeouts in Sunday's win.
Wheeler enters at 7-1 with a 2.11 ERA. Thornton is making just his second big-league appearance. SNY lists Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber, and Bryce Harper atop the Phillies lineup, with Juan Soto, Francisco Lindor, and Carson Benge featured for New York.
Why did last weekend's Mets-Phillies game draw massive TV ratings?
Even amid New York's struggles, the rivalry still pulls viewers. Sports Media Watch reports that NBC's June 21 Mets-Phillies Sunday Night Baseball telecast averaged 3.0 million viewers across NBC and Peacock, aided by a U.S. Open lead-in.
That audience ranked second in MLB this season, behind only NBC's Opening Day Diamondbacks-Dodgers game (3.16 million). It was the largest Sunday night baseball audience excluding season openers since Yankees-Red Sox in 2013, and more than doubled ESPN's Mets-Phillies SNB rating from 2025.