Mets vs. Phillies: 5 things to watch and series predictions | Sept. 19-22

Here are five things to watch and predictions as the Mets and Phillies play a four-game series at Citi Field starting on Thursday night...

Preview

How close is Francisco Lindor?

Lindor is not expected to return on Thursday night, reports SNY MLB Insider Andy Martino.

The shortstop has missed the last three games due toe a back injury, but he made serious progress ahead of Wednesday's game against the Nationals.

Lindor stretched on the field before running and then having a catch.

He said on Monday that he expected to miss between two and five games with the back issue, and manager Carlos Mendoza said on Tuesday that Lindor was doing better.

It's unclear whether Lindor has swung a bat since last playing this past Sunday in Philadelphia. If he hasn't, that could possibly be the final benchmark he has to clear before returning.

In Lindor's stead, Luisangel Acuña has started the last two games at shortstop and done a tremendous job on both sides of the ball.

Pete Alonso and the offense is on fire

After the Mets eked out a win on Monday night, their offense erupted on Tuesday and Wednesday, with New York scoring a combined 20 runs.

A big part of that offensive uprising was Alonso, who has been red-hot over the last week, hitting .417/.462/.708 with two homers, one double, and six RBI in 26 plate appearances over six games.

Brandon Nimmo -- who has a five-game hitting streak and smacked a three-run homer on Wednesday -- is also starting to come around, as is Mark Vientos.

One Met who remains mired in a slump is J.D. Martinez, who has zero hits in his last 22 at-bats. If Martinez emerges from his malaise, it could take the offense to another level.

Can the starting rotation keep rolling?

The Mets' rotation has been absolutely ridiculous over the last month, and they'll look to keep it going against the formidable Phillies.

Luis Severino, David Peterson, and Sean Manaea are set to start the first three games of the series, with Tylor Megill likely getting the ball for Sunday's series finale.

Because of how good the rotation has been -- and because they've been providing so much length -- all of the Mets' key relievers are well rested.

That means if the rotation has a hiccup or two, the Mets should be in good position to deploy their bullpen in an effort to stem the tide.

The Phillies are back at full strength

The Phils are coming off a series where they lost two of three to the Brewers, but their offense is fully healthy again.

With Alec Bohm having returned last weekend against the Mets, the Phils boast a lineup that includes Bohm, Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber, J.T. Realmuto, and Nick Castellanos.

Harper had been in a power drought, but emerged from it against the Mets last week when he cracked two homers.

The Phillies' role players -- including Brandon Marsh and Bryson Stott -- are also more than capable of doing damage.

Eyes on the Braves ... and Diamondbacks ... and Brewers?

The Mets enter the last 10 games of the season tied with the D-backs for the second Wild Card spot, but New York has the tiebreaker due to winning the season series.

New York is 2.0 games up on the Braves, who are fighting for the third Wild Card spot.

As the Mets face the Phillies at Citi Field, the Braves will wrap up their series in Cincinnati against the Reds on Thursday before heading to Miami to open a three-game series with the Marlins.

Meanwhile, the D-backs and Brewers open a four-game series on Thursday in Milwaukee.

How the D-backs do is obviously important to the Mets, but how the Brewers perform is also important.

Here's why:

Milwaukee has already clinched the NL Central. The only thing they have left to play for is one of the two byes to the NLDS. In that fight, they trail the Dodgers by 2.0 games and the Phillies by 3.0 games.

If the Brewers no longer have a shot at one of those byes by the time the Mets arrive in Milwaukee next weekend for the final series of the regular season, the Brewers will have nothing to play for.

Predictions

Who will the MVP of the series be?

Pete Alonso

Alonso's tear will continue, with him having some huge moments in what could possibly be his final home series as a Met.

Which Mets pitcher will have the best start?

Sean Manaea

Manaea has been dominant for nearly two months.

Which Phillies player will be a thorn in Mets' side?

Bryson Stott

Stott has hit safely in his last four games.