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Major League Baseball returns to the UK this weekend with another of the league's biggest rivalries heading across the Atlantic with the Battle of the Broads.

That's the name given to the rivalry between the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies - because of Broadway in New York and Broad Street in Philadelphia.

Who are favourites for MLB London?

With New York and Philadelphia 90 miles apart on the USA's east coast, their sports teams have long been rivals and after the Dodgers and Giants relocated from the Big Apple to the west coast in the 1950s, the Mets were formed in 1962 to fill the void.

As divisional rivals in the National League East, they and the Phillies - one of the MLB's oldest clubs having been founded in 1883 - have since faced each other more than 1,000 times, with the Phillies edging their head-to-head record (551-520).

Both are two-time winners of baseball's biggest prize - the World Series - with the Mets winning in 1969 and 1986, while the Phillies triumphed in 1980 and 2008.

Who are the players to watch?

Image source, Getty Images

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", says Joe Posnanski, author of Why We Love Baseball. the first baseman often wears a headband featuring his nickname 'Showman'.

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".

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´óÏó´«Ã½ iPlayer

Major League Baseball returns to the UK this weekend with another of the league's biggest rivalries heading across the Atlantic as the New York Mets face the Philadelphia Phillies.

Saturday 8th June - MLB London Series Game One (18:00 - 21:00)

New York Mets v Philadelphia Phillies - coverage available via ´óÏó´«Ã½ iPlayer and the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Sport website

Sunday 9th June - MLB London Series Game Two (15:00 - 17:55)

New York Mets v Philadelphia Phillies - coverage available via the Red Button, ´óÏó´«Ã½ iPlayer and the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Sport website

How do I start?

Find your nearest club using the Baseball Softball UK and is where to go for introducing the game to beginners.

But what is softball?

One team is on offence, the other on defence. The team on offence take it in turns to hit the ball and run as far around the pitch as possible before the ball is caught by the other team. The defence team catch members of the opposing team out by catching the ball mid-air or throwing it to a member of their own team who is defending a base.

Is it for me?

It's a fast, fun and sociable game and you only need a glove, bat and ball to get started.

What to expect when I start?

• It's a great aerobic workout building strength,speed and stamina.
• People with hearing, visual impairments, physical or mobility issues and those with learning difficulties can often take part in baseball and softball without any changes, have more information.
• Softball is a mixed gender and mixed ability sport making it the ideal game for families to play together.
• It's a team sport so it's the perfect way to make friends and batting and catching the ball helps improve reactions and concentration.