Top 5+ most important dates to watch for rest of Mets' 2025 season
NEW YORK — After ending the first half of the 2025 season on the road, the Mets will return back to Citi Field for the first time in 12 days on Friday night against the Reds.
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
New York Mets third baseman David Wright (5) smiles at the fans after pinch hitting in the fifth inning against the Miami Marlins at Citi Field.
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
New York Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns speaks to the media about the MLB trade deadline before a game against the Minnesota Twins on July 30, 2024, at Citi Field.
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
Apr 23, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) follows through on a single against the Philadelphia Phillies during the fifth inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
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
May 21, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; Texas Rangers pitcher Jacob deGrom (48) pitches against the New York Yankees during the first inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
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.
