Series Preview: Mets at Phillies

After taking the four-game weekend series in Miami by winning the final three in a row from the host Marlins, the Phillies (50-74) are headed back home to play the New York Mets (67-56) in still another four-game series.

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The Mets are playing well, having just swept the Rockies in Colorado. Their recent play has lifted New York into first place with a 5 game lead over the Nationals, a distant 17.5 over the Phillies.

The Mets’ offense, which scored 33 runs at Coors this weekend, is led by 2nd baseman Daniel Murphy (.283/.328/.428, 9 HR, 50 RBI), outfielder Curtis Granderson (.257/.348/.459, 22 HR, 55 RBI, 11 SB), and newcomer Yoenis Cespedes, who is hitting for a .307/.344/545 slash line with 5 homers, 16 RBI and 13 runs in 20 games since being acquired via trade from Detroit. The Mets will have some extra help this series as MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo writes that David Wright is set to return from the DL.

The Phillies series victory over the Marlins has left the two teams tied at the bottom of the NL East, and tied with Colorado at the bottom of the overall MLB standings.

The Phils’ offense has been led by Odubel Herrera (.294/.327/.426, 6 HR, 34 RBI, 14 SB), Cesar Hernandez (.273/.345/.352, 1 HR, 29 RBI, 18 SB), and at least against righthanders, veteran Ryan Howard (.238/.284/.450, 19 HR, 67 RBI).

Watch out for an invasion of Mets fans in the Citizens Bank Park stands this week. In a lost season, the Fightin’ Phils will be looking to play a spoiler role, and put a dent in the New Yorkers playoff hopes.

PITCHING MATCHUPS:

Adam Morgan (4-4, 3.92 ERA) v. Jacob deGrom  (12-6, 1.98 ERA) – Morgan continued his relatively solid stretch of success when he had a good game (7 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 0 BB, 3 SO) against Toronto last week. The lefty rookie has been solid for the Phillies, and would love to keep turning in reliable starts as he takes the mound this evening. His opponent, deGrom, has been fantastic for the Mets this season. He sports a miniscule WHIP of just 0.89, and has struck out 158 in only 154.1 innings pitched. The Phillies could struggle to put offense together in this game.

Jerome Williams (4-9, 6.10 ERA) v. Noah Syndergaard (7-6, 3.17 ERA) – After putting up a few solid starts, Williams had a terrible game (1.2 IP, 8 ER, 8 H, 4 BB, 1 SO) in Miami. That performance highlights Williams’ unreliability, and the Phils’ bats need to be ready to back him up if his struggles reappear. Williams will pitch against “Thor”, as the Mets’ rookie is nicknamed, who has struggled a little in his last three games. He has allowed 11 earned runs over just 16 innings pitched in three starts. However, that is uncharacteristic of Syndergaard and he’ll be looking to get back on track.

Jerad Eickhoff (1-0, 0.00 ERA) v. Bartolo Colon (10-11, 4.90 ERA) – Eickhoff made an excellent first impression in the Major Leagues with a stellar debut (6 IP, 0 ER, 5 H, 1 BB, 5 SO) in Miami. Eickhoff will undoubtedly be trying to keep his success going when he takes the mound on Wednesday. The middle-aged Colon was not sharp (3.2 IP, 7ER, 9 H, 2 BB, 1 SO) last Friday in Colorado. He will hope to put that start in the past and deliver a gem on Wednesday.

Aaron Harang (5-14, 4.67 ERA) v. Jon Niese (8-9, 3.80 ERA) – After a few poor starts, Harang delivered a strong game (7 IP, 2 ER, 2 H, 4 BB, 3 SO) this past Saturday night. Perhaps it was the start of a good stretch to finish his season? Like Colon, Niese also struggled in his last start (5.1 IP, 7 ER, 11 H, 2 BB, 3 SO). So both hurlers will be looking to get back on track and find some success when he finishes out the series on Thursday.

SERIES KEYS:

Need the rotation to step up – The Phillies are competing with some tough pitchers in this series, so they will need the rotation to be strong to keep up. Not to mention, the Mets offense just scored 33 runs this past weekend. The Phillies really need the young Morgan and Eickhoff, and the vets Williams and Harang, to step up and limit a Mets offense that is rolling.

Momentum – After picking up three straight victories on the road, the Phillies have found some momentum and can play as a spoiler against the Mets in this series. The Phillies were once one of the hottest teams since the All-Star break, so this could be the beginning of another great stretch of baseball.

BROADCAST INFORMATION:

Monday: 7:05 PM, TV: CSN, Radio: 1210 WPHT, 94 WIP, WTTM 1680 (Sp.)

Tuesday: 7:05 PM, TV: CSN, Radio: 1210 WPHT, 94 WIP, WTTM 1680 (Sp.)

Wednesday: 7:05 PM, TV: CSN, Radio: 1210 WPHT, 94 WIP, WTTM 1680 (Sp.)

Thursday: 7:05 PM, TV: CSN, Radio: 1210 WPHT, 94 WIP, WTTM 1680 (Sp.)

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE forecast for Citizens Bank Park in South Philly

Tonight

A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 8pm and 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. South wind 6 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 87. West wind 5 to 11 mph.

Tuesday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 63. West wind 3 to 8 mph.

Wednesday

Sunny, with a high near 86. North wind 5 to 9 mph becoming west in the afternoon.

Wednesday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. West wind 5 to 7 mph becoming calm after midnight.

Thursday

Sunny, with a high near 83.

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