5 most important dates to watch for rest of Mets' 2025 season
The matchup sets off a sprint to the finish with 65 games left to play. The Mets are 55-42 and a half-game back of the Phillies for the top spot in the National League East.
With the pennant race that close, there are several enticing dates for Mets fans to circle on their calendar. The second half also includes some big events, returns and matchups.
Here are five of the most important dates to circle on the remainder of the Mets' calendar:
July 19 vs. Reds
The most momentous day on the Mets' calendar comes on the second day of the second half as David Wright will have his No. 5 retired at Citi Field.
It is an event that Mets fans have yearned for nearly a decade since the captain retired after the 2018 season.
One of the most beloved Mets in his generation, Wright will become the first player who spent his entire career with the franchise to have his number retired.
July 31: Trade deadline
After a six-game road trip featuring stops in San Francisco and San Diego, the Mets have an off day but the front office will be busy at work.
This year's trade deadline has the potential to be one of the most transformative in team history. After the team signed Juan Soto in the offseason, they made a clear statement that they would be aiming to compete for World Series titles year after year.
The transition is over, and David Stearns is set to have his first trade deadline as true buyers in front of him.
Aug. 22 at Braves
While it had appeared that the Mets had exorcised their demons at Truist Park in Atlanta at the end of last season when they punched their ticket to the playoffs there, 2025's first time to the Mets' NL East rivals ended in similar fashion.
The Mets were swept in three games on the Braves' home field back on June 17-19 before splitting a four-game series at Citi Field.
This is the start of a pivotal seven-game stretch, including three in Atlanta and three at home against the Phillies. This is the first change to grab some serious momentum.
Sept. 8 at Phillies
There is the chance that the National League East could be settled across four games at Citizen Bank Park beginning on Sept. 8.
Heading into the second half, the Mets own a 4-2 record against the Phillies and this matchup could serve as the tiebreaker down the stretch.
It is bound to be a raucous environment in Philadelphia as the Phillies look to atone for last season's NLDS loss.
Sept. 12-14 vs. Rangers
It has been two years since Jacob deGrom left the Mets to sign a five-year, $185 million deal to join the Rangers. Yet the two-time Cy Young winner has yet to make his return to his former home.
Last time the Rangers were in Flushing, deGrom was rehabbing from a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow and Tommy John surgery. This season, the 37-year-old righty has returned to the dominant form that Mets fans know well. At the break, he's 9-2 with a 2.32 ERA and 113 strikeouts in 112⅔ innings.
The emotions remain complicated. On one hand, he is one of the best pitchers to don a Mets uniform. On the other, he left. So expect a somewhat mixed reaction upon his return.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NY Mets schedule 2025: Dates to watch for rest of season
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