Sports Today Sunday, September 20
← Back to today’s slate MLB matchup · September 20, 2026
Philadelphia Phillies
85-70 · 2nd in NL East, 6 GB
Offense cooling lately
LHP Cristopher Sánchez · High-strikeout arm · plus control
@
New York Mets
71-84 · 5th in NL East, 20 GB
Bats heating up
Jonah Tong
MLB · Citi Field · 10:10 AM PT

Team Identity

Philadelphia Phillies
Season-to-date, 155 games, 5,986 PA.
An opportunistic, aggressive offense that cashes in scoring chances. The offense has cooled off recently.
Power
Average59
Contact
Below Avg44
Plate Discipline
Average47
Speed
Above Avg73
RISP
Elite94
Recent Form
Trending Down
Total bases per PA is down 12% over the team's last 10 games versus its season baseline.
New York Mets
Season-to-date, 155 games, 6,015 PA.
A balanced offense without a standout strength or glaring weakness. The bats have been heating up lately.
Power
Average49
Contact
Below Avg30
Plate Discipline
Average49
Speed
Well Below21
RISP
Average47
Recent Form
Trending Up
Walk rate is up 18% over the team's last 10 games versus its season baseline.

What This Game Is About

Biggest Advantage

Phillies' offense is defined by being opportunistic, and this game tests whether Mets can match it.

Swing Factor

Cristopher Sánchez strikes hitters out at a 26.0% clip (82nd percentile); Mets carry a 21.7% strikeout rate.

Momentum

Phillies are trending down and Mets are trending up over their last 10 games.

Key Matchups

Can Cristopher Sánchez miss enough bats?
Cristopher Sánchez strikes hitters out at a 26.0% clip (82nd percentile); Mets carry a 21.7% strikeout rate.
Edge · Cristopher SánchezCristopher Sánchez: 26.0% K rateMets: 21.7% K rateHigh confidence
How do Mets handle left-handers?
Mets have produced worse against left-handers this season (0.330 vs. 0.342 TB/PA overall).
Edge · Cristopher Sánchezvs left-handers: 0.330 TB/PA (1706 PA)overall: 0.342 TB/PAModerate confidence
Can Cristopher Sánchez limit Mets' power?
Mets rank in the 49th percentile in extra-base production, while Cristopher Sánchez sits in the 50th percentile at suppressing total bases.
Edge · Cristopher SánchezMets: 0.342 TB/PACristopher Sánchez: 0.338 TB/PA allowed (826 PA)High confidence
Can Cristopher Sánchez command the strike zone?
Mets walk in 8.4% of trips; Cristopher Sánchez allows walks sparingly (5.3%).
Edge · Cristopher SánchezMets: 8.4% walk rateCristopher Sánchez: 5.3% walks allowedHigh confidence

Pitcher Trends

Cristopher Sanchez
Cristopher Sanchez
Philadelphia Phillies · 8 starts
SP
Strikeouts5.9/start
Hits allowed6.5/start
8+ Hits Allowed — 4 of last 65+ Strikeouts — 5 of last 6
26% K rate
Per-start form only — opponent lineup, park, and pitch count aren't modeled.

Player Trends

Luis Torrens
Luis Torrens
New York Mets · 0.333 hit rate · 0.611 TB/PA
Heating up
recent games · 1+ hit
L53 / 5L105 / 10L2514 / 25
Total bases per PA is up 81% over his prior baseline, with hits in 3 of his last 4 games.
Alec Bohm
Alec Bohm
Philadelphia Phillies · 0.289 hit rate · 0.342 TB/PA
Heating up
recent games · 1+ hit
L54 / 5L108 / 10L2516 / 25
On-base rate is up 49% over his prior baseline, with hits in 7 of his last 9 games. He has trimmed his strikeout rate to 5%.
Brett Baty
Brett Baty
New York Mets · 0.259 hit rate · 0.296 TB/PA
Heating up
recent games · 1+ hit
L54 / 5L108 / 10L2517 / 252-game hit streak
On-base rate is up 54% over his prior baseline, with hits in 6 of his last 8 games. He has trimmed his strikeout rate to 19%.
Brandon Marsh
Brandon Marsh
Philadelphia Phillies · 0.091 hit rate · 0.091 TB/PA
Cooling off
recent games · 1+ hit
L51 / 5L103 / 10L259 / 25
Total bases per PA is down 76% over his prior baseline, with hits in 2 of his last 9 games.
Kyle Schwarber
Kyle Schwarber
Philadelphia Phillies · 0.104 hit rate · 0.250 TB/PA
Cooling off
recent games · 1+ hit
L52 / 5L104 / 10L2513 / 25
Hit rate is down 47% over his prior baseline, with hits in 4 of his last 10 games.
Bryan De La Cruz
Bryan De La Cruz
Philadelphia Phillies · 0.200 hit rate · 0.200 TB/PA
Cooling off
recent games · 1+ hit
L52 / 5L104 / 10L2514 / 25
Total bases per PA is down 55% over his prior baseline, with hits in 2 of his last 5 games.

Players Positioned to Succeed

76
Carson Benge
Carson Benge
1+ Hit
New York Mets
Why it stands out
Batting 5th, confirmed lineup
No notable risk
75
Trea Turner
Trea Turner
1+ Hit
Philadelphia Phillies
Why it stands out
Batting 2nd, confirmed lineup
No notable risk
74
Luis Arraez
Luis Arraez
1+ Hit
Philadelphia Phillies
Why it stands out
Batting 4th, confirmed lineup
No notable risk
74
Bo Bichette
Bo Bichette
1+ Hit
New York Mets
Why it stands out
Batting 3rd, confirmed lineup
No notable risk
73
Juan Soto
Juan Soto
1+ Hit
New York Mets
Why it stands out
Batting 2nd, confirmed lineup
No notable risk
73
Bryce Harper
Bryce Harper
1+ Hit
Philadelphia Phillies
Why it stands out
Batting 3rd, confirmed lineup
Main risk
Elevated recent strikeout rate

Expected Game Shape

UncertainLow confidence

Probable-starter data is incomplete, so the shape is hard to call. Mets bring stronger recent momentum.

Early edge Phillies Driver Unclear without matched starters Volatility Elevated
  • At least one probable starter could not be matched to stored data.
  • Phillies are trending down; Mets are trending up.

Storylines to Watch

Can Mets handle Cristopher Sánchez's strikeout stuff?
Mets have been a below-average contact team while Cristopher Sánchez misses bats at an above-average rate — a swing factor early.
Mets contact percentile: 30
Can Brandon Marsh snap out of it?
Brandon Marsh has cooled off. Total bases per PA is down 76% over his prior baseline, with hits in 2 of his last 9 games.
0.091 hit rate · 0.091 TB/PA · 0.241 hit rate · 0.378 TB/PA
Is Luis Torrens the one to watch?
Luis Torrens enters as Mets' hottest bat. Total bases per PA is up 81% over his prior baseline, with hits in 3 of his last 4 games.
0.333 hit rate · 0.611 TB/PA · 0.199 hit rate · 0.337 TB/PA
Based on plate appearances before 2026-09-20, with today's posted lineups when available. Injuries, weather, bullpen availability, and park factors are not yet included.