Mets pitcher Kodai Senga looks forward to facing NL East rival's loaded lineup

Along with new Boston Red outfielder Masataka Yoshida, Senga is the latest big name Japanese professional baseball player to make waves and join MLB. The 29-year-old is a three-time Nippon Professional Baseball All-Star and helped lead team Japan to the gold medal during the Tokyo Olympics.

Senga signed a five-year, $75 million contract with New York earlier this month. He'll join a revamped Mets starting rotation that also includes newcomers Justin Verlander and Jose Quintana -- as well as holdover Max Scherzer -- but lost Jacob deGrom and Chris Bassitt.

The defending NL-champion Philadelphia Phillies project to have one of the best lineups in baseball next season. Already with Bryce Harper, Nick Castellanos, Kyle Schwarber, Rhys Hoskins and J.T. Realmuto among others in stow, the Phillies signed two-time All-Star Trea Turner to an 11-year, $300 million contract in early December.

The first regular season series between New York and Philadelphia in 2023 is slated for May 30-June 1 at Citi Field.