Phillies News on Saturday is Troubling Development for Mets originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Philadelphia Phillies have taken a commanding lead over the second-place New York Mets, currently leading the NL East by six games with under two months left in the season.

As the Philadelphia Phillies look to win a key series against the Seattle Mariners, their outlook for making the playoffs is looking strong right now.  The Phil

Vientos answered that call by blasting a home run in a second straight game. Vientos hit a two-run homer against Jake Irvin in the third inning that gave the Mets a 5-0 lead. Vientos, who started as the DH, provided a jolt to the team on Sunday with his three-run homer in Williamsport, Pa., that led a victory over the Mariners.

The Philadelphia Phillies have activated left-handed reliever José Alvarado from the restricted list following the completion of his 80-game suspension. Alvarado, who will not be eligible to appear in a postseason game,

If the Phillies want to win the NL East, they must thrive in September. While the Brewers, Dodgers, and Mets will provide the toughest tests, beating the bad teams on their schedule will also be critical for the Phillies' division title hopes.

It's no secret: the Mets don't like the Braves. The Braves don't like the Mets. Another chapter in a fierce rivalry will be written this Sunday as the two face off on Bases Covered Live. Here are five things to know before you tune in.

José Alvarado is back with the Philadelphia Phillies. Per the Associated Press (h/t ESPN ), the left-handed reliever returned from his rehab assignment from Triple-A Lehigh Valley and was reinstated from MLB's restricted list before the Phillies' matchup against the Seattle Mariners.

The Phillies and Mariners open their series on Monday. Both teams are in good form and determined to stay in the playoff race.

The Mets took two of three from the red-hot Mariners over the weekend, including a 7-3 win on Sunday night during the Little League Classic in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. It was the first series the Mets had won since sweeping the San Francisco Giants from July 25-27.