The Mets’ payroll may be $309m (£241m), but the Phillies – who pay $246m (£192m) a year – signed Bryce Harper in 2019 on a then-record $330m, 13-year contract.
“As big a star as there is in the game”, the first baseman often wears a headband featuring his nickname ‘Showman’.
“He’s a great power hitter,” says Posnanski, whose book was published this week in the UK. “He can hit a massive home run at any point.”
Ranger Suarez came into this year as a “relative unknown” yet the Venezuelan leads MLB pitchers with a 1.70 ERA (Earned Run Average), external and is expected to start on Saturday, with Mexico pitcher Taijuan Walker scheduled for Sunday.
However, the Phillies’ designated hitter Kyle Schwarber could be the player that UK fans “get the biggest kick out of”.
“He’s this big brute of a guy who goes up to the plate looking to do one thing and one thing only – hit the ball over the fence,” Posnanski adds.
The Mets’ power hitter is Pete Alonso, a burly first baseman nicknamed ‘Polar Bear’, while Puerto Rico shortstop Francisco Lindor is “certain to make a few dazzling plays”.
Veteran left-hander Sean Manaea will be their starting pitcher on Saturday, with Jose Quintana taking over on Sunday.
