Winners and losers from MLB's 2024 London Series

The Phillies and Mets split their two-game series in London over the weekend, with the Phils winning Saturday’s matchup and the New Yorkers winning Sunday’s. Exciting action both on and off the field undoubtedly pleased MLB execs working to showcase the game of baseball globally. As the dust settles on the event and the Phillies take Monday off to readjust their internal clocks, here’s a look at some of the weekend’s winners and losers:

Winner – The city of London

To borrow a Gabe Kapler-ism, London presented beautifully during baseball’s series across the pond. The city’s incredible culture and energy were on full display all weekend long. From the Tower of London decked out in Phillies red to MLB’s takeover of Trafalgar Square to the Phanatic third-wheeling Mr. and Mrs. Met at the London Eye, England’s capital provided the perfect backdrop for America’s national pastime.

Winner – People who just want both teams to have fun

Big weekend for baseball fans who support both the Phillies and Mets, to the extent any such individuals exist. Each team picked up a win and the joint merchandise was incredible.

Surely there’s no actual market for this product. I mean, who would- oh wow. This guy, I guess:

Winner – David Dahl

David Dahl smacked a pinch-hit home run in the eighth inning of Sunday’s game to give the Phillies a 4-3 lead. Dahl has four hits (including two home runs) in six at-bats since joining the big-league Phils from AAA on June 3. A former top-ten draft pick and an all-star in 2019 with Colorado, the 30-year-old Dahl may force his way into a bigger role with the team going forward (despite a crowded Phillies roster).

Loser – Jose Alvarado

Alvarado has been fantastic in most of his appearances for the Phillies this season. But called on to hold the aforementioned 4-3 Phils lead in the top of the ninth inning on Sunday, Alvarado allowed three runs on two hits, two walks, and a hit batter.

Over the course of 162 games, these things will happen. There’s no long-term concern with Alvarado. But the Phillies were well-positioned for a quick sweep overseas until the lefty fireballer imploded, and the team’s fun weekend ended on a down note.

In the bottom of the ninth, the Phils scored a run to cut the Mets’ lead to 6-5. They also had the bases loaded with one out and could have gotten Alvarado off the hook. But Nick Castellanos (whose home run on Saturday could’ve otherwise made him a “winner” for the weekend) grounded into a 2-3 double play to end the ballgame.

Loser – The “June Schwarber” storyline

Kyle Schwarber hasn’t yet hit a home run in June after hitting just three home runs in all of May. June has statistically been the best month of Schwarber’s career, as evidenced by a .917 career June OPS and 55 home runs in 589 career June at-bats. For some fans, “June Schwarber” has morphed from a running gag into a real expectation for the slugger. And thus far, the big DH’s power has disappointed.

It’s a good bet that Schwarber’s home run swing will reappear soon. The way balls carry in warmer months (a/k/a Hittin’ Season!) probably plays a big part in his June success, and London’s chilly temperatures didn’t do him any favors. Schwarber did slim down noticeably this past offseason, however, and while his 2024 batting average and on-base percentage are above his career figures, the grumbling about Schwarber will likely continue until he hits a few dingers.

Loser – Mets fans

Phillies fans may have outnumbered Mets fans 10:1 across the pond during the weekend’s festivities. That’s likely due, in part, to the teams’ win/loss records. The Phillies are enjoying one of their greatest regular seasons ever while the Mets are… well, Mets-ing. Additionally, however, the Phils as an organization seemed to embrace the London Series in a way that the Mets did not. And the Phillies really seemed to be the focus of the event.

Manager Rob Thomson and his coaching staff visited Passyunk Ave, a Philly-themed London pub, on Friday to hang out with fans. British baseball enthusiast Dave Shaw (a/k/a UK Phillies on twitter) was one of the most prominent faces in the entire London Series. Rob McElhenney, playing off the “Mac wants to have a catch with Chase Utley” bit from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, turned a ceremonial double play with Utley and Bryce Harper on Sunday. Utley’s 2008 World F**king Champion teammates were well represented, with Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins, Shane Victorino, Carlos Ruiz, Cole Hamels, and Matt Stairs in attendance.

At times, it felt like the Phillies threw a celebration in London and the Mets just happened to be the opposing team.

Winner – Jayson Werth

One well-known member of the 2008 Phillies was not found in London, but he had a good excuse. Jayson Werth was in Saratoga Springs, NY watching his racehorse, Dornoch, win the Belmont Stakes as a 17-1 longshot.

Winner – Bryce Harper

Harper understands the importance of entertainment better than most baseball stars, a core aspect of his personal brand. He embraces a big stage like few others, reliably rises to a special occasion, and lives to put on a show.

So, on Saturday, it wasn’t surprising to see a soccer-style Harper home run celebration plastered all over social media. Excellent work by the player nicknamed The Showman:

Winner – Whit Merrifield

Whit Merrifield is having a rough season, hitting just .177/.250/.292 in 125 plate appearances. But he had the biggest hit in Saturday’s Phillies win, a three-run home run to give his team a 5-1 lead.

Hopefully, the internationally-televised home run is the spark Merrifield needs to start turning things around.

Winner – Taijuan Walker

Taijuan Walker, neck-and-neck with Merrifield as Phillies’ fans favorite 2024 punching bag, had a strong outing in Sunday’s game: 5.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, 79 pitches (52 strikes). Walker’s game was even better than his numbers indicate, as the two earned runs charged to his line scored after he exited the game.

Walker has been the singular weak link in a formidable Phillies rotation. If he starts to click, the rest of the league is in serious danger.

Loser – Sean Manaea

The Phillies rocked Mets starter Sean Manaea for six runs in the fourth inning of Saturday’s game. Manaea didn’t survive the inning. In five career games against the Phils, Manaea now has a 5.68 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP, with Philadelphia hitters posting an .856 OPS.

Loser – The Phillies this upcoming week?

The Phillies head straight from London to Boston this week, for a three-game series against the Red Sox beginning Tuesday. They then travel from Boston to Baltimore for a weekend series against a strong Orioles team.

It’s a tough schedule for a team returning from cross-Atlantic travel. They’ll have just one more day off in the entire month of June (on Thursday, June 20). The Phillies’ depth, a strength through the season’s first 65 games, will really be put to the test.

Zack Wheeler (7-3, 2.23 ERA) gets the ball for the Phils on Tuesday against Boston RHP Kutter Crawford (2-5, 3.51 ERA). First pitch is 7:10 p.m. Eastern… that’s 12:10 a.m. back in London.