PHILADELPHIA — The Mets have faced that other NL East nemesis, the Braves, in the playoffs, but the Phillies are something new.
When Saturday’s Game 1 of the NLDS is played at Citizens Bank Park, it will mark the first time the division rivals have met in the postseason.
The last time the Mets faced a division foe in the postseason was in 1999, when they lost the NLCS to the Braves.
Mets postseason opponents since then: Giants, Cardinals, Yankees, Dodgers, Cardinals, Dodgers, Cubs, Royals, Giants, Padres and Brewers.
“Philadelphia-Mets playoff baseball is going to be intense,” Brandon Nimmo said. “Both fan bases, and this is exactly what you want.”
The familiarity factor between the teams should only add to the intensity.
The Mets showed they could hold their own against the Phillies, going 4-3 against them in their final two series this season.
“I think we’ve seen it just with the rivalry that we have, playing in some tight games and whatnot, this place gets loud,” David Peterson said. “And that’s what you want. You want that playoff atmosphere.“I think we’re ready for it, it’s exciting. Hopefully, like the Mets fans always do, they will travel well and we’ll have some support in the building.”
The “Playoff Pumpkin” that Pete Alonso unveiled in the clubhouse after Thursday’s wild-card-series clinching victory in Milwaukee was the latest Mets rallying object, joining Grimace and the “OMG” sign that is displayed to celebrate home runs.
“We have been through a lot and people are giving credit to so many different people,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “I see it as we have got good players, we have got great people and we’re just going to continue to have fun and ride the wave and see what happens.”
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Peterson said he became aware of the Playoff Pumpkin in recent days.
“I think it’s all in good fun for us and just continuing to keep up the good spirit that we’ve had and continue to enjoy the ride,” Peterson said.
With Kodai Senga and Tylor Megill to be placed on the NLDS roster (both were announced by Mendoza on Friday), two pitchers from the last round will be excluded.
Candidates include Max Kranick, Huascar Brazoban and Adam Ottavino.
