(Photo credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images)

At long last, Sean Manaea is back to being a first-inning starter for the New York Mets.

Manaea will look to build off a productive outing Thursday when the Mets open a three-game road series against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Throughout the majority of the season, New York has used an opener for Manaea (1-2, 4.78 ERA), who clearly has improved over the past month. In particular, the veteran left-hander has a 3.00 ERA in three June outings.

Manaea was allowed to start the first inning for the first time in 2026 in his most recent outing, and he backed up the team's confidence by allowing two runs and four hits in six innings against the Atlanta Braves. Still, he took a 3-1 loss in the Saturday game.

'He earned it,' Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said of the start. 'He continues to put himself in a position where days like (Saturday), it was an easy call for us.'

Manaea has allowed two earned runs or fewer in eight straight appearances heading into Thursday's meeting with Philadelphia, though of those outings were very brief relief stints.

'It feels really good,' he said after his most recent outing. 'I've put in a lot of work with the coaches here, the staff. It feels good just to put in some hard work and have a game like (Saturday).'

Manaea has made eight career appearances (six starts) against the Phillies and is 2-3 with a 5.30 ERA.

On Thursday, he'll likely be facing a lineup with several left-handed hitters. Kyle Schwarber leads the majors with 25 home runs, while Brandon Marsh's .323 batting average ranks fourth in the National League entering play Thursday.

Bryce Harper is having a solid season as well, although he is just 1-for-19 over his past six games.

The Phillies are coming off a series victory against the Miami Marlins despite a 12-4 setback in Wednesday's finale. Leadoff hitter Trea Turner had three hits to highlight the offensive effort by Philadelphia.

'Your vision for your best team is with Trea at the top, or the top couple,' Phillies interim manager Don Mattingly said amid suggestions that the inconsistent Turner should be moved down in the order. 'If we're gonna get where we need to go, he needed to get going.'

Philadelphia will give the ball to Aaron Nola (3-4, 5.86), who has been inconsistent as well. After closing May on a positive note, the right-hander has a 6.43 ERA and no wins so far in June. Nola gave up three runs and six hits in 4 2/3 innings Saturday against the Milwaukee Brewers in a 9-8 victory.'With Noles, I think he matches up good with anybody if he's doing his thing,' Mattingly said earlier this month. 'If he's locating and using all his pitches and able to use his mix, he matches up with anybody.'

Nola is 11-10 with a 3.42 ERA in 30 career appearances (all starts) against the Mets but will be facing them for the first time this season. In fact, this is the first matchup of 2026 between the National League East rivals, who will play each other 13 times over the final 88 games.

New York and Philadelphia essentially have had opposite results this week, as the Mets lost their first two against the Cincinnati Reds in lopsided fashion before notching a comfortable 9-1 win on Wednesday afternoon.

Bo Bichette recorded multiple hits for the sixth straight game, finishing with three singles and three runs.

'I don't know about satisfying, but it felt good,' Bichette said. 'We needed to come out here and win a game.'

--Field Level Media