Philadelphia @ New York preview
Citi Field
Last Meeting ( Jul 19, 2013 ) Philadelphia 13, NY Mets 8
The Philadelphia Phillies have been the majors’ best second-half team over the previous six seasons and roughed up the New York Mets at home recently – two trends they look to continue on Saturday. The Phillies improved to a league-best 270-168 after the All-Star break since 2007 following Friday’s 13-8 win, giving them their seventh straight victory in New York. The win also put Philadelphia (49-48) over .500 for only the second time this season.
New York entered the break with wins in five of its previous seven contests, but fell to a National League-worst 17-28 at home following Friday’s setback. The Mets trailed by 11 runs before they registered their first hit, losing to the Phillies for the 11th time in their last 14 home meetings. New York, which will face southpaws Cole Hamels and Cliff Lee over the weekend, is a NL-best 19-14 against left-handers.
TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, CSN (Philadelphia), WPIX (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies LH Cole Hamels (4-11, 4.05 ERA) vs. Mets RH Zack Wheeler (3-1, 3.54)
Since manager Charlie Manuel opted to give him two extra days of rest before his July 4 start, Hamels responded with a 2-0 record and 1.57 ERA over his next three outings. His one no-decision over that stretch came in Sunday’s 4-3 win over the Chicago White Sox, when the three-time All-Star allowed two runs on eight hits and struck out seven over eight frames. Hamels is 1-1 with a 3.75 ERA against the Mets this season, but only 6-11 with a 4.28 ERA in 23 career starts.
Wheeler posted his second consecutive win in a 7-2 road victory over the San Francisco Giants on July 10 after yielding one run on three hits and three walks over seven innings. Four of the right-hander’s five career starts have come on the road, but his worst one (five runs allowed in 4 2/3 innings) came in his only home turn on June 30 against the Washington Nationals. Wheeler, who has walked at least three batters in four of his five outings, will face the Phillies for the first time.
WALK-OFFS
1. A win on Saturday would position Philadelphia two games over .500 for the first time this season.
2. The Phillies have enjoyed a 53-17 edge during their road winning streak against New York.
3. It was announced Friday that Mets minority owner Steven A. Cohen has been charged by the Securities and Exchange Commission with failing to supervise employees and prevent them from insider trading.
PREDICTION: Phillies 5, Mets 3