The Philadelphia Phillies head to Citi Field on Thursday, September 17, 2026, for a 7:15 PM ET showdown against the New York Mets with Aaron Nola taking the ball for Philadelphia. Nola squares off against Mets right-hander Nolan McLean in a division matchup that carries real weight in the final weeks of the regular season. The game airs on FOX/FOX ONE and can be heard locally on 94 WIP. This is exactly the kind of game the Phillies need to win — on the road, against a division rival, with one of their most experienced arms on the hill.

Phillies vs. Mets Starting Pitchers: Aaron Nola Faces Nolan McLean

Aaron Nola is the story here. The veteran right-hander has been Philadelphia's most reliable rotation presence for years, and a late-September start in Queens against a lineup featuring Francisco Lindor, Juan Soto, and Bo Bichette is the kind of assignment he was built for. Nola's ability to command multiple pitch types and keep hitters off-balance will be critical against a Mets lineup that has legitimate run-producers throughout the order.

On the other side, New York turns to Nolan McLean. McLean is a younger arm, and while detailed season stats are not available heading into this one, the Phillies' lineup has enough firepower to make his night difficult if he struggles with command or leaves pitches up in the zone.

Philadelphia Phillies Lineup at Citi Field

• 1. Kyle Schwarber, DH
• 2. Trea Turner, SS
• 3. Bryce Harper, RF
• 4. Luis Arraez, 2B
• 5. Alec Bohm, 1B
• 6. Bryson Stott, 3B
• 7. Brandon Marsh, LF
• 8. Justin Crawford, CF
• 9. Garrett Stubbs, C

New York Mets Lineup

• 1. Francisco Lindor, SS
• 2. Juan Soto, DH
• 3. Bo Bichette, 3B
• 4. Carson Benge, RF
• 5. Jared Young, 1B
• 6. A.J. Ewing, CF
• 7. Francisco Alvarez, C
• 8. Brett Baty, 2B
• 9. Nick Morabito, LF

Keys to Watch for the Phillies

• Nola vs. the top of the Mets order: Lindor and Soto hitting back-to-back at the top of New York's lineup is a genuine threat. How Nola navigates those two early and often will set the tone for this game.
• Schwarber and Harper against McLean: If Kyle Schwarber gets extended at-bats against a younger pitcher and Bryce Harper is locked in at third in the order, the Phillies have the kind of lineup depth to do real damage.
• Luis Arraez's contact: Batting fourth, Arraez provides a different kind of threat — a bat that is exceptionally difficult to strike out. His ability to put the ball in play behind Harper could generate runs even when the long ball isn't there.
• Justin Crawford's role: The young outfielder hitting eighth gives the Phillies a potential spark plug at the bottom of the order ahead of Stubbs. Watch how he handles the moment against a major league pitcher in a divisional game.

Prediction

Nola is the difference-maker in this one. Against a Mets lineup that does have legitimate threats at the top but becomes less proven deeper in the order, an experienced starter who can work into the sixth or seventh inning gives the Phillies a real edge. McLean is an unknown quantity at this level, and Philadelphia's lineup — from Schwarber through Harper and Arraez — has enough proven bats to make him pay for any mistakes. Phillies win, 4-2.