Philadelphia @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( May 13, 2018 ) NY Mets 2, Philadelphia 4

The New York Mets have been shut out in back-to-back contests for the second time this season and own a disastrous 3-17 mark in their last 20 contests at Citi Field. The uphill climb for the Mets is a steep one on Monday as they encounter two stingy pitchers in a doubleheader to begin a four-game series against the visiting Philadelphia Phillies.

Philadelphia's Zach Eflin enters the opener with a 6-0 mark and 1.91 ERA in his last six outings, while fellow right-hander Aaron Nola - the probable starter for the nightcap - is 5-0 in his last seven trips to the mound. The surging Phillies saw their six-game winning streak halted in Pittsburgh on Sunday, with Nick Williams going deep in a 4-1 setback to mark the second time he's homered in the last four games. Brandon Nimmo led off the seventh inning with a single in Sunday's 9-0 setback to Tampa Bay to give him four hits to go along with six walks and four runs scored in his last five games. The Mets will look to channel the success they had against the Phillies when the National League East rivals met earlier this season, winning three of four contests after being rained out on April 2 and again on May 12.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, NBCS Philadelphia, SNY (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Zach Eflin (7-2. 2.97 ERA) vs. Mets RH Zack Wheeler (2-6, 4.36)

Eflin's pinpoint control has been the calling card during his six-start winning streak, as he has struck out 34 batters against just six walks in 37 2/3 innings. The 24-year-old has struggled in three career appearances versus New York, posting an 0-2 mark while surrendering three homers in 16 1/3 frames. Eflin has flustered Asdrubal Cabrera (0-for-9), although Jose Reyes is 3-for-7 with a trio of doubles against the hurler.

Wheeler received his second straight no-decision despite two sterling starts, as he scattered five hits over seven scoreless innings versus Pittsburgh on June 27 before allowing two runs on three hits in 6 1/3 frames at Toronto on Tuesday. Offensive support hasn't been a friend to the 28-year-old, who owns an 0-4 mark in his last 11 outings despite registering a 3.76 ERA. Cesar Hernandez is 5-for-8 in his career versus Wheeler, who in turn has flustered Maikel Franco (0-for-5).

WALK-OFFS

1. NL East-leading Philadelphia is just 15-17 against division representatives.

2. New York is mired in a 14-series stretch without winning one.

3. Phillies CF Odubel Herrera went 5-for-13 with a homer, four RBIs and two runs scored in his last three games after going 2-for-37 with nine strikeouts in his previous nine.

PREDICTION: Phillies 4, Mets 2