New York @ Philadelphia preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 8, 2013 ) NY Mets 7, Philadelphia 2

The rivalry between the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Mets has been one-sided in recent years, not always in the head-to-head meetings but certainly in the standings. In 2013, though, the tables have turned. The Mets seek their fourth straight victory and look to keep the host Phillies reeling when the clubs meet again Tuesday. New York used an early three-run homer from John Buck and another outstanding start by Matt Harvey to claim a 7-2 victory in the series opener.

If not for a ninth-inning rally Saturday against Kansas City, the Phillies would be on a four-game losing streak. The front end of the rotation has struggled, the offense has been ordinary and the bullpen has been an issue. Roy Halladay was hammered for the second time in as many starts this season and his teammates managed only four hits Monday. After posting a sub-.500 season at home last year - its first since 2000, Philadelphia is 1-3 at Citizens Bank Park in 2013.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), PHL17 (Philadelphia)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Dillon Gee (0-1, 1.42) vs. Phillies LH Cliff Lee (1-0, 0.00)

Gee was a 13-game winner in 2011 and was making some really nice progress last year before surgery for a blood clot in his shoulder ended his season. He showed a tiny bit of rust with a walk to begin his first start of the season Thursday against San Diego, but rebounded quickly to retire the next 10 men he faced. Gee allowed a run on three hits in 6 1/3 innings overall in New York's 2-1 loss. The 26-year-old right-hander has given up 18 runs in 18 innings in his career at Citizens Bank Park.

Lee was about the only real positive in the Phillies' first turn through the rotation. Lee showed flashes of his former Cy Young form with eight scoreless innings in a 2-0 win over the first-place Atlanta Braves. He let up a pair of singles and struck out eight. While Lee looked phenomenal, the other four Philadelphia starters have combined to post a shocking 11.14 ERA. Lee is 4-1 with a 2.09 ERA in eight career starts against the Mets.

WALK-OFFS

1. Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins is 6-for-9 with a walk in his career against Gee.

2. Mets second baseman Daniel Murphy is 6-for-16 with two doubles, a triple and two home runs in his last four games. He has driven in five runs and scored five runs in that stretch.

3. Philadelphia is 4-10 against New York before the All-Star break over the last two seasons.

PREDICTION: Phillies 4, Mets 2