Mets, Phillies add new layer to rivalry with first-ever playoff meeting

PHILADELPHIAꦚ — The Mets have faced that other NL East nemesis, the Braves, in the p♏layoffs, but the Phillies are something new. 

When Saturday’s Game 1 o൲f the NLDS is play🌠ed at Citizens Bank Park, it will mark thౠe first time the division rivals have met in the postseason.

The last time the Mets faced a division foe in the postseason was in 1999, when they lost the NLC♔S ൲to the Braves. 

Mets postseason opponents since then: Giants, Cardinals, Yankees, Dodgers, Cardinals, D༒odgers, Cubs, Royals, Giants, Padres and Brewers. 

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“Philadelphia-Mets playoff baseball is going to be intense,” Brandon Nimmo said. “Both fan bases🔯, and this is exactly what you want.” 

The familiarity factor between the teams should🌸 only add toꦫ the intensity.

The Mets showed they could ho✨ld their own against the Phillies, going 4-3 against them in their final two series this season. 

“I think we’ve seen it just with the rivalry that we have, playing in some tight games and whatnot, this place gets loud,” David Peterson said. “And that’s what you want. You want that playoff atmosphere.“I think we’re ready for it, it’s♉ exciting. Hopefully, like the Mets fans always do, they will trav♛el well and we’ll have some support in the building.” 

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The “Playoff Pumpkin” that Pete Alonso unveiled in the clubhouse after Thursday’s wild-card-series clinching victory in Milwa🌊ukee was the latest Mets rallying object, joining Grimace and the “OMG” sign that is displayed to celebrate home runs. 

“We have been through a lot and people are giving credit to so many different people,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “I see it as we have got good players🎉, we have got great people and we’re just going to continue to have fun and ride the wave and see what happe🌌ns.” 

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Follow The Post’s coverage of the Mets’ playoff run:

• Was this the end of Pete Alonso’s Mets tenure?
• Vaccaro: This has 𓄧to become the new♌ standard for Mets
• Gutsy Mets lived on the edge too long
• Mets run out of playoff magic as Dodg💝ers send them packing in crushing🃏 fashion

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Pete🧔rson said he became aware of the Playoff Pumpkin in recent days. 

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“I think it’s all in good fun for us and just continuing to keep up the good spirit that we’ve had and continue to enjoy the ride,” Peterson said.&nb🦂sp;

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With Kodai Senga and Tylor Megill to be placed on the NLDS roster (both were announced by Mendoza on Friday), two pitche♏rs from the last round will be excluded.

Candidates inclu💙de Max Kranick, ❀Huascar Brazoban and Adam Ottavino.