NEW YORK (AP) — Off to a fast start, the New York Mets are primed for their first clash with the Philadelphia Phillies this season.
Following a four-game sweep of St. Louis, the Mets welcome Bryce Harper and the Phillies to Citi Field for a three-game set beginning Monday night. It will be the first meeting between the bitter NL East rivals since New York eliminated Philadelphia from the playoffs last October.
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New York Mets outfielder Jesse Winker (3) signs baseballs for fans before a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Sunday, April 20, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)
A young fan shouts, "Can you sign my ball?" to New York Mets players after a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Sunday, April 20, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)
New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) signs baseballs for fans before a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Sunday, April 20, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)
New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso (20) stands on the field during a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Sunday, April 20, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)
Philadelphia Phillies' Johan Rojas bunts in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Laurence Kesterson)
Fans wear bunny ears at the Easter baseball game between the New York Mets and the St. Louis Cardinals, Sunday, April 20, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)
Young fans cheer at a baseball game between the New York Mets and the St. Louis Cardinals, Sunday, April 20, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)
New York Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo (9) and fans celebrate his leaping catch during the sixth inning of the baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Sunday, April 20, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)
New York Mets' Brandon Nimmo (9) catches St. Louis Cardinals' Jordan Walker (18) ball, resulting in Walker flying out, during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, April 20, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)
Philadelphia Phillies' Trea Turner hits an RBI single during the third inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Saturday, April 19, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Laurence Kesterson)
New York Mets' Francisco Lindor (12) reacts after hitting a home run, during the first inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Sunday, April 20, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)
New York Mets' Francisco Lindor (12) makes the first home run of the game, and his third of the season, during the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals, Sunday, April 20, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)
Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper follows through on an RBI double during the first inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Laurence Kesterson)
New York Mets' Jesse Winker, Francisco Lindor and Luisangel Acuña celebrate winning the baseball game 7-4 against the St. Louis Cardinals, Sunday, April 20, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)
New York Mets Brandon Nimmo (9) celebrates his leaping catch against the St. Louis Cardinals during Cardinals' Jordan Walker's ball, resulting in Walker flying out during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, April 20, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)
“I expect it to be high energy. They obviously don't like the way things ended last year and I'm sure they'd like to make a statement right away,” Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo said Sunday.
“So for us, it's a big series. They're a very good team and we know that. We knew that from last year and we know that this year. They even improved this offseason and made some great additions. So, this is going to be a fun series. It is early, but every game counts.”
New York is 15-7 overall and 9-1 at Citi Field, tied for the second-best start to a season at home in franchise history. Fans are fired up, too, with the Mets drawing more than 38,000 for every game of their weekend series against the Cardinals.
“Last year it was not like this (in April). So I appreciate the fans coming out and giving us love and supporting us,” star shortstop Francisco Lindor said. “We definitely do feel it.”
Philadelphia is 13-9 after blowing a late lead Sunday at home and losing 7-5 to the Miami Marlins in 10 innings.
Mets right-hander Tylor Megill (2-2, 1.40 ERA) faces a struggling Aaron Nola (0-4, 6.65) in the series opener Monday night. It's newcomer Griffin Canning (2-1, 3.43) against Phillies lefty Cristopher Sánchez (2-0, 2.96) on Tuesday night, and David Peterson (1-1, 3.27) opposing ex-Met Zack Wheeler (2-1, 3.73) in a Wednesday matinee.
Philadelphia won the NL East last season by six games over New York and Atlanta, but Lindor's grand slam helped the wild-card Mets close out the Phillies in Game 4 of their best-of-five Division Series.
That sent Pete Alonso and the surprising Mets into the National League Championship Series, where they lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Six months later, fellow slugger Juan Soto gets his first taste of the New York-Philly rivalry after signing a record $765 million, 15-year contract to join the Mets in December.
“It's going to be star-studded,” Nimmo said. “I think the fans should enjoy it.”
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New York Mets outfielder Jesse Winker (3) signs baseballs for fans before a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Sunday, April 20, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)
A young fan shouts, "Can you sign my ball?" to New York Mets players after a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Sunday, April 20, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)
New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) signs baseballs for fans before a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Sunday, April 20, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)
New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso (20) stands on the field during a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Sunday, April 20, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)
Philadelphia Phillies' Johan Rojas bunts in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Laurence Kesterson)
Fans wear bunny ears at the Easter baseball game between the New York Mets and the St. Louis Cardinals, Sunday, April 20, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)
Young fans cheer at a baseball game between the New York Mets and the St. Louis Cardinals, Sunday, April 20, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)
New York Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo (9) and fans celebrate his leaping catch during the sixth inning of the baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Sunday, April 20, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)
New York Mets' Brandon Nimmo (9) catches St. Louis Cardinals' Jordan Walker (18) ball, resulting in Walker flying out, during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, April 20, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)
Philadelphia Phillies' Trea Turner hits an RBI single during the third inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Saturday, April 19, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Laurence Kesterson)
New York Mets' Francisco Lindor (12) reacts after hitting a home run, during the first inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Sunday, April 20, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)
New York Mets' Francisco Lindor (12) makes the first home run of the game, and his third of the season, during the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals, Sunday, April 20, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)
Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper follows through on an RBI double during the first inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Laurence Kesterson)
New York Mets' Jesse Winker, Francisco Lindor and Luisangel Acuña celebrate winning the baseball game 7-4 against the St. Louis Cardinals, Sunday, April 20, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)
New York Mets Brandon Nimmo (9) celebrates his leaping catch against the St. Louis Cardinals during Cardinals' Jordan Walker's ball, resulting in Walker flying out during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, April 20, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)
DOHA, Qatar (AP) — President Donald Trump urged Qatar on Wednesday to use its influence over Iran to persuade the country's leadership to reach an agreement with the U.S. to dial back its rapidly advancing nuclear program.
Trump, who is visiting the Gulf nation as part of a three-country Mideast swing, made the appeal during a state dinner held in his honor by Qatar’s emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
Qatar, over the years, has played the role of intermediary between the U.S. and Iran and its proxies, including during talks with Tehran-backed Hamas as its 19-month war with Israel grinds on.
“I hope you can help me with the Iran situation,” Trump said during remarks at the formal dinner. “It’s a perilous situation, and we want to do the right thing."
The appeal to Qatar came after Trump told leaders at a Gulf Cooperation Council meeting earlier Wednesday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, that he wants “to make a deal," but Tehran must end its support of proxy groups throughout the Mideast as part of any potential agreement.
The U.S. and Iran brokered a nuclear deal in 2015, during Democrat Barack Obama's administration, in which Iran agreed to drastically reduce its stockpile of uranium and only enrich up to 3.67%. But that deal was scrapped during the first Trump administration.
Today, Iran enriches up to 60%, a short, technical step from weapons-grade levels, and has enough stockpiled for multiple nuclear bombs should it choose to build them.
The Qatari emir told Fox News Channel on Wednesday night that “we agree that we want a nuclear-free region, and we cannot afford a nuclear race in that region.”
But, Al Thani said, “Iran has its right to have a nuclear — a civilian nuclear power, while not also representing any challenge or any threat for anyone in the region.” He said the issue needs to be resolved diplomatically.
The U.S. and Iran have engaged in four rounds of talks since early last month about the country's nuclear program. Trump has said that he believes brokering a nuclear deal is possible but that the window is closing.
At the state dinner, he called on Iran's leadership to “get moving" or risk the situation spiraling into a head-on conflict.
“Because things like that get started and they get out of control,” Trump said. "I’ve seen it over and over again. They go to war and things get out of control, and we’re not going to let that happen.”
Trump, in his appearance at the Gulf Cooperation Council meeting in Riyadh, also said that Tehran “must stop sponsoring terror, halt its bloody proxy wars and permanently and verifiably cease pursuit of nuclear weapons" as conditions for any deal.
The call for Iran to cease support of Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen comes as that proxy network has faced significant setbacks in the 19 months since Hamas launched its Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel.
In Iran, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called Trump's remarks “deceitful" but did not directly address his demands.
Trump said that he also believed the moment was ripe “for a future free from the grip of Hezbollah terrorists.” Hezbollah is severely weakened after its war last year with Israel, in which much of its top leadership was killed and after losing a key ally with the fall of former Syrian President Bashar Assad, a conduit for Iran to send arms.
While in Riyadh, Trump also met with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, a face-to-face engagement with the onetime insurgent leader who spent years imprisoned by U.S. forces after being captured in Iraq.
Al-Sharaa was named president of Syria in January, a month after a stunning offensive by insurgent groups led by al-Sharaa’s Hayat Tahrir al-Sham stormed Damascus and ended the 54-year rule of the Assad family.
Trump said he decided to meet with al-Sharaa after being encouraged to do so by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. He also pledged to lift yearslong sanctions on Syria.
The White House billed the al-Sharaa meeting as a brief “pull aside” that ended up lasting 33 minutes.
Trump told reporters that the meeting went "great" and described him as a “young, attractive guy” with a “very strong past.”
“He’s got a real shot at holding it together," Trump said.
Formerly known by the nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Golani, al-Sharaa joined the ranks of al-Qaida insurgents battling U.S. forces in Iraq after the U.S.-led invasion. He still faces a warrant for his arrest on terrorism charges in Iraq. The U.S. once offered $10 million for information about his whereabouts because of his links to al-Qaida.
Al-Sharaa returned to his home country of Syria after the conflict began in 2011 and led al-Qaida’s branch called the Nusra Front. He changed the name of his group to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and cut links with al-Qaida.
The sanctions go back to the rule of Bashar Assad, who was ousted in December, and were intended to inflict major pain on his economy.
In Qatar, Trump was greeted at the airport by Al Thani. Air Force One was escorted by Qatari F-15 jets as it neared Doha, the capital city.
As he sat down for talks at Amiri Diwan, the administrative office of the emir, Trump told the Qatari leader he was impressed with the “perfecto” marble as well as the camels that took part in the arrival ceremony.
The emir said he had high hopes for Trump's efforts with Iran and at ending the war in Gaza.
“I know that you are a man of peace,” he said. “I know that you want to bring peace to this region.”
Qatar, like the other Gulf Arab states, is an autocratic nation where political parties are banned and speech is tightly controlled.
But Qatar has also served as a valuable partner to the U.S. The country is also home to Al-Udeid Air Base, a sprawling facility that hosts the forward headquarters of the U.S. military’s Central Command.
The oil-and-gas-rich country is also in the center of a controversy over its offer to provide Trump with the gift of a luxury Boeing 747-8 that the U.S. could use as Air Force One while new versions of the plane are under construction by Boeing.
The Qatari government has said a final decision hasn’t been made. Trump has defended the idea even as critics argue it would amount to a president accepting an astonishingly valuable gift from a foreign government.
Trump has indicated he would refurbish the aircraft and it would later be donated to his post-White House presidential library. He says he would not use the plane once he leaves office.
Trump will head to the United Arab Emirates on Thursday for the final stop of his Mideast tour.
Associated Press writers Suzan Fraser in Ankara, Turkey, Tia Goldenberg in Tel Aviv, Israel, and Nasser Karimi in Tehran, Iran, contributed to this report.
Qatar Emiri Air Force F-15s provide an honorary escort for Air Force One, carrying President Donald Trump, as it arrives in Doha, Qatar, Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
President Donald Trump and Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani reviews Qatari honor guard during an official welcoming ceremony at the Amiri Diwan in Doha, Qatar, Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
President Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One en route from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to Doha, Qatar, Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
President Donald Trump arrives with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the group photo with Gulf Cooperation Council leaders during the GCC Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
In this photo released by the Saudi Royal Palace, Syria's interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, left, shakes hands with President Donald Trump, centre, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, May 14, 2025. At right is Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.(Bandar Aljaloud/Saudi Royal Palace via AP)
President Donald Trump and Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani meet at the Amiri Diwan in Doha, Qatar, Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
President Donald Trump holds up a pen given by Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani as they exchange documents during a signing ceremony at the Amiri Diwan in Doha, Qatar, Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Qatar Emiri Air Force F-15s provide an honorary escort for Air Force One, carrying President Donald Trump, as it arrives in Doha, Qatar, Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
President Donald Trump and Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani attend a signing ceremony at the Amiri Diwan in Doha, Qatar, Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
President Donald Trump holds up a pen given by Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani as they exchange documents during a signing ceremony at the Amiri Diwan in Doha, Qatar, Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani welcomes President Donald Trump during an official welcoming ceremony at the Amiri Diwan in Doha, Qatar, Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
President Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One en route from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to Doha, Qatar, Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
President Donald Trump and Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani meet at the Amiri Diwan in Doha, Qatar, Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
President Donald Trump speaks during the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, right, welcomes President Donald Trump for the group photo with Gulf Cooperation Council leaders during the GCC Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
President Donald Trump, fifth left, attends a group photo session with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, fourth right, with United Arab Emirates Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, second right, Bahrain's Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, left, Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, third left, Kuwait's Crown Prince Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, second left, Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, right, during the GCC Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
In this photo released by the Saudi Royal Palace, President Donald Trump, centre, looks to Saudi's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, right, shake hands with Syria's interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (Bandar Aljaloud/Saudi Royal Palace via AP)
President Donald Trump speaks during the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Syrians celebrate after U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to ease sanctions on Syria and move toward normalizing relations with its new government to give the country 'a chance at peace,' in Idlib, Syria, Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Ghaith Alsayed)
Syria's interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, speaks during a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron after a meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (Stephanie Lecocq/Pool via AP)
President Donald Trump salutes as he greets with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman delegations at the Royal Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
