Here are five things to keep an eye on and predictions for the Mets and the Phillies will play a four-game series at Citi Field starting Thursday night…

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How close is Francisco Lindor?

Lindor is not expected to return Thursday night, SNY MLB insider Andy Martino reports.

The shortstop has missed the last three games with a back injury but has made great strides ahead of Wednesday’s game against the Nationals.

Lindor did some stretching exercises on the field before running and then catching a ball.

He said on Monday that he is expected to miss between two and five games due to the back problems, and coach Carlos Mendoza said Tuesday that Lindor was feeling better.

It’s unclear if Lindor has swung a bat since his last game last Sunday in Philadelphia, but if not, this could potentially be the final hurdle he has to clear before returning.

In Lindor’s place, Luisangel Acuña has started the last two games at shortstop and has done an excellent job on both sides of the ball.

Pete Alonso and the offense are on fire

After the Mets narrowly snatched a win on Monday night, their offense exploded on Tuesday and Wednesday, with New York scoring a total of 20 runs.

A big part of this offensive upturn has been Alonso, who has been in top form over the last week, posting a batting average of .417/.462/.708 with two home runs, a double and six RBIs in 26 at-bats in six games.

Brandon Nimmo — who has a five-game hitting streak and hit a three-run home run on Wednesday — is also slowly getting into his stride, as is Mark Vientos.

A mead that is still in crisis is JD Martinezwho has zero hits in his last 22 at-bats. If Martinez can overcome his slump, it could take the offense to a new level.

Can the starting rotation continue like this?

The Mets’ rotation has been absolutely incredible over the last month and they will look to maintain that against the formidable Phillies.

Luis Severino, David PetersonAnd Sean Manaea The first three games of the series will begin, with Thomas B. will likely get the ball for the series finale on Sunday.

Because of the good rotation – and because they have offered so much length – all of the Mets’ key relievers are well rested.

This means that if there are any problems in the rotation or two, the Mets should be in a good position to use their bullpen to smooth things over.

The Phillies are back at full strength

The Phils are coming off a streak in which they lost two of three games to the Brewers, but their offense is fully healthy again.

With Alec Bohm After their comeback last weekend against the Mets, the Phils can now rely on a lineup that includes Bohm, Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber, JT RealmutoAnd Nick Castellanos.

Harper had a slump in performance, but was able to overcome it with two home runs in last week’s game against the Mets.

The Phillies’ supporting cast – including Brandon Marsh And Bryson Stott — are also quite capable of causing damage.

Eyes on the Braves…and Diamondbacks…and Brewers?

The Mets enter the final 10 games of the season tied with the D-backs for the second Wild Card spot, but New York has the tiebreaker by virtue of winning the season series.

New York is 2.0 games ahead of the Braves, who are battling for the third wild card spot.

While the Mets face the Phillies at Citi Field, the Braves finish their series against the Reds in Cincinnati on Thursday before heading to Miami to open a three-game series against the Marlins.

Meanwhile, the D-backs and Brewers open a four-game series in Milwaukee on Thursday.

For the Mets, the performance of the D-backs is of course important, but the performance of the Brewers is also important.

Here’s why:

Milwaukee has already secured the NL Central. The only thing left to play for is one of the two byes to the NLDS. In that battle, they are 2.0 games behind the Dodgers and 3.0 games behind the Phillies.

If the Brewers don’t have a chance at one of those byes by the time the Mets arrive in Milwaukee next weekend for the final series of the regular season, the Brewers will have nothing left at stake.

Predictions

Who will be the MVP of the series?

Pete Alonso

Alonso’s winning streak will continue and he will have some great moments in what may be his last home series as a Met.

Which Mets pitcher will have the best start?

Sean Manaea

Manaea has been dominant for almost two months.

Which Phillies player will be a thorn in the Mets’ side?

Bryson Stott

Stott has won comfortably in his last four games.