BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - AUGUST 02: Tim Mayza #37 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches in the fifth inning during a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 2, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) Getty
WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 16: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates in the dugout after scoring a run in the seventh inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on September 16, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) Getty
The Philadelphia Phillies have announced their starting pitcher for Game 2 against the New York Mets . Left-hander Tim Mayza will start, with Jose Urquidy following as a bulk option, reports Matt Gelb of The Athletic.
The Phillies indicated how they'd get through this game. They recently claimed right-hander Jose Urquidy off waivers from the Chicago White Sox . That came after the club placed left-hander Jesus Luzardo on the injured list.
It was unclear if the Phillies would start Urquidy or go with an opener for what's essentially a bullpen game. The team ultimately chose the latter.
To make room for Urquidy on the active roster, the team optioned left-handed reliever Kyle Backhus to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. The right-hander will wear No. 70.
GettyLeft-hander Tim Mayza will get his sixth start of the season when the Phillies play the Mets. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
This will be Mayza's sixth time opening a game this season. The Phillies are 1-4 in the five previous times the left-hander has thrown their first pitch.
This will be a back-to-back for the left-hander. Mayza got the final out of the eighth inning in their 3-0 win over the Mets the previous night. The left-hander came in relief of Jonathan Bowlan , who left the game due to injury .
In his previous five starts, Mayza has accumulated 9.1 innings. So he averages somewhere between five and six outs per appearance. As an opener, he's held opposing hitters to a .206/.229/.235 slash.
Despite a left-handed opener, the Mets will counter with a typical lineup. They'll start four left-handed hitters: Juan Soto , Carson Benge, AJ Ewing, and Brett Baty . That may be with the bulk pitcher, Jose Urquidy, in mind.
When Urquidy gets into the game, it will be his Phillies debut. Philadelphia will mark the third team the right-hander has pitched for this season, following the Pittsburgh Pirates and the White Sox.
GettyThe Phillies are locked in a tight Wild Card race in the final 11 days of the season. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
The Phillies are currently 85-68. They're hoping to jump ahead of the Chicago Cubs (85-68) for the top National League Wild Card spot. Their magic number to clinch a postseason spot is 5.
The final nine games will be critical for deciding whether they host their Wild Card Series or not. They've got three games left against the Mets, then they host the Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays at Citizens Bank Park to close out their season.
The Mets series will be important, as it's a chance to stack wins against a team that won't play in the postseason. Then they'll face the teams with the top record in both the National League and American League.
First pitch at Citi Field is set for 7:15 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on Apple TV+.
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