By Sunday 
The vibes were electric at Citizens Bank Park on Friday night — and not just because of the post-solstice humidity. The Philadelphia Phillies lit up the scoreboard and the slumping New York Mets with a 10-2 thumping that did more than just open a weekend series. It launched them into sole possession of the NL East lead and showcased exactly why this team is becoming must-watch baseball.
Let’s break down the key moments and players behind Philly’s fireworks.
Wheeler Sets the Tone, Again
Zack Wheeler didn’t waste time showing why he’s still one of the most reliable arms in the league. While he didn’t cruise — tossing 61 pitches through just three innings — he never caved. The Mets loaded the bases in the top of the first, but Wheeler escaped with a slick double-play ball and racked up eight strikeouts in just five innings of work.
He was gritty, not glamorous, but exactly what the Phils needed from their ace.
“Wheeler just gets it done,” a fan behind home plate was overheard saying. No lies detected.
Offense Explodes in the Seventh
While the Mets managed to erase a 2-0 deficit with back-to-back homers off Taijuan Walker in the sixth, the Phillies weren’t interested in drama. The bottom of the seventh was a masterclass in timely hitting and chaos.
Brandon Marsh’s double started the rally, and the rest of the inning was a blur of base knocks and baserunners flying around like it was October. Trea Turner, Alec Bohm, Nick Castellanos — they all delivered. But the crown jewel? Bryson Stott’s bases-clearing double, a rocket off the left-center field wall that blew the game open at 8-2.
Realmuto and Castellanos practically slid into home in sync, a moment worthy of a slow-motion highlight.
Castellanos Caps It with Flair
As if the seventh-inning outburst wasn’t enough, Nick Castellanos added an exclamation point in the eighth — a towering two-run homer that sent the home crowd into a frenzy. With that, Castellanos finished his night with three RBIs and a healthy dose of swagger.
This was the version of Castellanos Phillies fans dream about — dangerous at the plate, cool under pressure, and oh-so-fun to watch when he’s locked in.
Mets Spiral Deepens
For the Mets, this loss marks seven straight, and while Pete Alonso and Jeff McNeil managed solo shots, it wasn’t enough to overcome the relentless Philly offense or their own defensive and bullpen woes. Rookie Blade Tidwell showed promise early, but Philly adjusted, and the Mets never quite recovered.
It’s the kind of game that makes a fanbase start asking hard questions.
Harper Rehab Watch: Progress on the Horizon?
Meanwhile, Bryce Harper gave fans a reason to smile before the game even started, reporting positive signs in his rehab from a wrist injury. He’s not swinging freely yet, but he’s swinging — and that’s a good start.
“Felt better than I thought it would,” Harper told reporters. “I’m happy about that.”
No timeline yet, but Philly could soon be adding their superstar back to a lineup that already looks pretty terrifying.
Up Next
The Phillies will look to lock down the series with Mick Abel (2-0, 2.21 ERA) on the mound Saturday night against Mets righty Griffin Canning (6-3, 3.80 ERA). If the momentum from Friday’s blowout win carries over, things could get worse before they get better for New York.
For now, though, Philadelphia can bask in the glow of a dominant win and a well-earned lead in the division.