Philadelphia @ New York preview
Citi Field
Last Meeting ( Sep 10, 2010 ) Philadelphia 8, NY Mets 4
The Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets have been here before.
The former is making its traditional postseason push while the latter is backpedaling faster than an NFL cornerback.
Friday's series-opening contest brought more of the same as Ryan Howard and Chase Utley belted solo home runs and Roy Halladay helped his cause with a two-run single as the National League-leading Phillies posted an 8-4 victory over the Mets.
Carlos Ruiz had three hits with an RBI single and a run scored and Halladay notched his 18th victory of the season for Philadelphia (82-60), which won its fourth straight and 12th in 15 games.
The victory kept the three-time defending NL East champions one game ahead of the Atlanta Braves (81-61), who rallied to an 8-6 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday evening.
While the Phillies are keeping an eye on the standings, the Mets (69-72) are casting an eye toward next season - especially in light of the sobering news they received prior to Friday's contest.
New York ace Johan Santana will undergo season-ending surgery to repair a tear in his anterior capsule in his left shoulder. The two-time Cy Young Award winner finished his season with an 11-9 mark and a 2.98 ERA in 29 starts this season.
On Saturday, the Mets will hand the ball to Mike Pelfrey (13-9, 3.96 ERA), who is looking to snap a two-game losing skid while he searches for his career-best 14th win of the season.
The 26-year-old right-hander was battered for six runs and five hits in 3 2/3 innings as the Mets dropped a 13-3 decision to the Washington Nationals on Monday.
Pelfrey is 1-2 in three outings this season against the Phillies, who will counter with struggling right-hander Kyle Kendrick (9-8, 4.89 ERA) on Saturday.
The 26-year-old Texan has allowed at least four runs in five of his last six outings. As a result, Kendrick is 2-4 mark with a gaudy 7.04 ERA during those starts.
In his last appearance, Kendrick permitted five runs and seven hits in four innings en route to a 6-2 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday.
On a positive note, Kendrick did have a successful outing at Citi Field this season. He picked up the win after allowing one run and six hits in 6 2/3 innings in a 3-1 triumph on Aug. 15.
Ironically, Pelfrey was the losing pitcher in that contest.
Three-time All-Star shortstop Jimmy Rollins sat out Friday's game with tightness in his right hamstring. Rollins suffered the injury during Wednesday's triumph over the Florida Marlins.
Rollins is not expected to play on Saturday and may sit out the series with the ailment.