Inside The Mets

New York Mets announce starter for series opener against Phillies

Blade Tidwell will make his second major league start on Friday against the Phillies.
Logan VanDine|
May 4, 2025; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; New York Mets pitcher Blade Tidwell (40) makes his debut pitching appearance against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Vizer-Imagn Images
May 4, 2025; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; New York Mets pitcher Blade Tidwell (40) makes his debut pitching appearance against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Vizer-Imagn Images | Tim Vizer-Imagn Images

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New York MetsPhiladelphia PhilliesAtlanta Braves

The New York Mets have reportedly decided who will start Friday's series opener against the Philadelphia Phillies.

It was announced late Thursday night by Anthony DiComo of MLB.com that Blade Tidwell will make his second career start on Friday as New York opens up a crucial three-game weekend series in the City of Brotherly Love.

The Mets initially planned on using righty reliever Justin Hagenman as the team's opener against the Phillies. But after Clay Holmes turned in a rough start against the Atlanta Braves, followed by Huascar Brazobán also struggling with his command out of the bullpen, the Amazins' ultimately turned to Hagenman to record the final eight outs for the Mets in what was a 7-1 loss and series sweep against Atlanta.

Read More: Mets swept by Braves, struggles continue in key stretch

Tidwell, who the Mets drafted in the second round of the 2022 MLB Draft, made his first career major league start against the St. Louis Cardinals earlier in the season on May 2. The righty, however, struggled as Tidwell lasted just 3.2 innings against the Redbirds, giving up six earned runs on nine hits with three walks while striking out just two.

In 13 games (11 starts) for Triple-A Syracuse this season, Tidwell is 4-4 with a 4.76 ERA, 73 strikeouts, 25 walks, and a WHIP of 1.27 across 62.1 innings pitched.

The Mets hope Tidwell can improve in his second big league start. New York is currently mired in a season-long six-game losing streak and is now tied for first place with the Phillies in the National League East; the winner of the three-game set between the two teams this weekend will assume first place outright.

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Logan VanDine
LOGAN VANDINE

Logan VanDine is a contributing writer for On SI's Mets. Logan is a graduate of Rider University where he majored in Sports Media and minored in Sports Studies. During his time at Rider, Logan worked for Rider's radio station, 107.7 The Bronc as a sports host, producer and broadcaster, and for the school's paper: The Rider News. He began his time with The Rider News as a section writer for sports and was a copy editor for two years followed by being one of the sports editors during his senior year. Logan also placed third in the New Jersey Press Foundation Awards for sports feature writing. Aside from his work at On SI, he is also a writer for FanSided covering the New York Giants and Mets and also covers the Giants for Total Apex Sports. Give him a follow on X: @VandineLogan

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