3 Mets players to thank for crushing the Phillies in their sweep

After a dreadful road trip that included series losses to two of the worst teams in the National League in the Cubs and Rockies, the New York Mets headed back home to play the Phillies for the first time in 2023.

New York went 15-4 against Philadelphia last season with some of the season's most memorable moments occurring in games against their rivals down the Turnpike.

Both the Mets and Phillies have gotten off to slow starts in 2023. The Mets have played a bit better of late despite their bad road trip while the Phillies continue to scuffle. This showed in this week's series as the Mets completed a series sweep. They did it thanks in large to these three players.

1) NY Mets player to thank for the sweep over the Phillies: Mark Canha

The final tally was Mark Canha six, Phillies three. Mark Canha drove in six runs while the Phillies scored three runs all series. The Mets pitching obviously deserves enormous credit for holding this star-studded Phillies lineup to three runs in three games (even with them struggling to score), but Canha driving in six runs in two games is a huge deal. Yes, Canha didn't even play the first game.

Canha started against Aaron Nola and the Phillies on Wednesday night and was the only Met to drive in a run. He launched a two-run home run in the third and then lined a two-run single the following inning to make what was once a 1-0 deficit, a 4-1 Mets lead. The Mets would win with this same 4-1 score.

This great performance earned Canha another start for the series finale. All he'd do is hit another two-run homer, this time against Taijuan Walker, again to give the Mets a lead they would not relinquish.

The Mets scored ten runs all series, Canha drove in six of them. Hopefully Canha can get it going against other teams too, but watching him continue to torment the Phillies is still fun.

2) NY Mets player to thank for the series win over the Phillies: Kodai Senga

After dominating the Rays, Kodai Senga had a very uneven performance at Wrigley Field. He was able to limit the damage to three runs in five innings, but he walked five batters and just looked off all night.

With Senga pitching back at Citi Field, a place he's proven to be extremely comfortable at, he turned in what I believe was his best start.

Seven innings, just one baserunner. He did not walk a single batter which is a huge deal for Senga, and all he'd allow was a Kody Clemens single. Senga struck out nine, and was in complete command all night.

Ranger Suarez pitched really well for the Phillies, and the Mets were held to just two runs that night. Senga had to be great for the Mets to win, and he was with his brilliant performance.

We all know about the stuff Senga possesses and how nasty every pitch he throws is, but he hasn't ever had the command he had on Tuesday night. Even in his start against the Rays he still walked three batters. He was getting ahead of hitters and putting them away. He completed seven innings for the first time as a Met. There're so many things to be excited about from this start.