As turned out, it was the Mets’ bats in the eighth inning that silenced Phillies fans, who watched their greatly anticipated Red October turn a disheartening shade of blue in a 6-2 defeat.

Excitement and anxiousness across the Delaware Valley are at a fever pitch as the Phillies take on their long-time division rivals, the New York Mets in the playoffs. For the first time, the town is painted red with buildings and landmarks lit up in support of the Phils.

In advance of this weekend’s National League Division Series at Citizens Bank Park, fans are invited to get ramped up for the Phillies’ return to Red October with a lineup of special events being held throughout the region.

Pinch-hitter J.D. Martinez added an RBI single and Pete Alonso, who hit a go-ahead, three-run homer in the ninth inning in the Wild Card Series clincher in Milwaukee, and Starling Marte each added a sacrifice fly in the eighth for a 5-1 lead that sent the Mets into a frenzy in the dugout.

Red October is in full swing as the Phillies' rally bus greeted fans across the city and Delaware County. Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark are among the 24 players already announced as part of the 3-on-3 league. Poor Makari Vickers had no idea what was coming.