Trea Turner has "got that type of ability" to surpass Francisco Lindor in NLDS against Mets, says Phillies insider
Philadelphia Phillies have one of the best lineups in MLB with Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, Trea Turner, JT Realmuto and Nick Castellanos. While Harper and Schwarber have grabbed the headlines, Phillies insider Jim Salisbury believes Turner has the potential to outshine NL MVP candidate Francisco Lindor and be the standout player in the NLDS against the Mets.
On Friday's episode of "The Phillies Show," Salisbury, Todd Zalecki and former Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. previewed the National League Division Series between the Mets and the Phillies.
Salisbury said:
"You've got two really great shortstops [in Mets & Phillies], but Francisco Lindor has probably delivered more down the stretch in the second half than Trea Turner has. However, that doesn't mean Trea Turner can't be the best player in the series—he's got that type of ability." [8:28]
Though the Phillies are the bigger betting favorites, Salisbury doesn't think the Mets are no pushovers.
"I think they're more evenly matched than people think. ... You know they lose [Kodai] Senga. [Sean] Manaea, [David] Peterson, Jose [Quintana], they've all stepped up. They're heavy on left-handers in the rotation, and while the Phillies do hit lefties well, that's a good thing for them," Salisbury said. [7:37]
Surprisingly, the Mets have named Senga the starting pitcher in Game 1 against the Mets. Manager Carlos Mendoza had earlier said Senga was ruled out of the postseason. As he is coming from injury, it remains to be seen what the Japanese pitcher can do against the Phillies.
"I also think the offenses are more evenly matched than people realize. The Mets have an MVP-type player in Lindor, who's having a great year and will probably finish second in the MVP race. Jose Iglesias has given the Mets a huge lift. I just think they are evenly matched in a lot of areas," Salisbury said.[8:06]
If the series goes like Salisbury's saying, fans will be in for a treat as they could witness the battle of shortstops - Trea Turner vs. Francisco Lindor.
Ex-GM previews Trea Turner's Phillies vs. Francisco Lindor's Mets
Unlike Jim Salisbury, former Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. doesn't think the NLDS series against the Mets will be close.
"When you think about the matchups of just talent, okay, I gotta have the Phillies ahead. Pitching-wise, their rotation is slightly better, even though the rotation for the Mets has been pretty good lately. They've been throwing the ball well. Severino's thrown well, Manaea has been fantastic, and Quintana has really kind of stuck it up their rear ends the last few times he's pitched against them," Amaro said. [9:16]
Even though he gave some credibility to the Mets' starting pitchers, Amaro gave none to their bullpen.
"The bullpens are not even close. I don't like the Mets' bullpen. I know the closer ended up finishing off the game yesterday, but he was very shaky. He's very vulnerable. He doesn't look comfortable right now, and he's not pitching all that well for the Mets. And for me, I trust the bullpen of the Phillies much, much more," Amaro said [9:49]
As for the batting lineup, Amaro felt that the Phillies had the upper hand. However, he also shared that the postseason is a different ball game and both teams will be keen on exploiting each other's weaknesses.
Will Trea Turner and the Phillies succeed and eventually win Bryce Harper his first World Series? Or will Francisco Lindor and the Mets script an ultimate underdog story?