Get the popcorn out folks; the show is about to begin. The Phillies and the Mets both made big splash moves the night prior to the deadline. That’s not to say they are done. But both teams managed to land the two biggest relievers on the open market and safe to say they will be trying to take the crown for the division. These two teams have been toggling back and forth for the top spot and these moves signal they mean business and trying to push for October. How good were these moves? Well, let’s get into it.

Mets and Phillies Mean Business

This is the battle of the Titans. A team that could see their core change in the Phillies and finally getting to the top of the baseball mountain. And then the Mets, who eliminated the Phillies last year in the NLDS and managed to lure Juan Soto to town. These are the cream of the crop in the National League and they could very well represent the NL in the World Series.

Both teams filled a need and a void. They grabbed pitching. And some of the best pitching on the market. The Phillies desperately needed a closer. Jhoan Duran was the best closer on the market and he is not a rental. He throws pure gasoline, hitting 101 MPH and has a nose for the strike zone. Not to mention, can get batters to chase and whiff. He is exactly what this team needs and he isn’t a free agent until 2028. So long Alvarado. That was a massive move and a big ballsy move by Dave Dombrowski. He gets it done every time and this Phillies team feels more complete now. They have the rotation and the bats, but likely do add more bats. Now, they can stop using so many different guys to close games.

The Mets. Oh the Mets. They made moves and more than one. They decided to be that team to set the pitching market, parting with three prospects to land reliever Tyler Rogers from the Giants. Rogers can handle high leverage situations, making this a really nice addition to the back of the bullpen.

Thought they were done? They saw the Phillies land Duran, so they went out and landed Ryan Helsley from the Cardinals. Helsley has been a stable closer for the Cardinals and led the league in saves last season. A back end of the bullpen featuring Rogers, Diaz, and Helsley? Good luck with that everyone.

Between Rogers and Helsley when facing the Cubs, Phillies, and Dodgers, they’ve pitched 19.1 innings, have one earned run combined, one walk, and 16 strikeouts. They are ready.

These two teams meet August 25-27 in New York and then September 8-12 in Philadelphia. Get the popcorn ready folks. Ought to be a thrilling finish for these two squads.