New York @ Philadelphia preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 17, 2018 ) NY Mets 9, Philadelphia 4

Philadelphia Phillies ace Aaron Nola has encountered a bit of turbulence of late in his bid for the National League Cy Young Award, but don't tell that to the New York Mets. Nola has handcuffed the Mets in 2018, posting a 4-0 mark with a 1.97 ERA in five meetings heading into the second contest of a three-game series on Tuesday at Citizens Bank Park.

The fading Phillies (76-73) were dealt another blow toward their rapidly diminishing postseason aspirations on Monday, as they fell for the 11th time in 15 contests with a 9-4 setback to reside 6 1/2 games behind first-place Atlanta in the National League East and six out of the second wild-card spot. J.P. Crawford had a bases-clearing triple in the series opener to improve to 5-for-10 with a homer, four RBIs and three runs scored in his last three games. Although New York (70-80) has been out of contention for months, it has found its stride this month with an 11-5 mark. Michael Conforto belted a three-run homer to highlight his three-hit, career-high six-RBI performance to give him 21 hits and 22 RBIs in September heading into an encounter with Nola, against whom he is just 3-for-18 with six strikeouts in his career.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, SNY New York, NBCS Philadelphia

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets LH Steven Matz (5-11, 4.18 ERA) at Phillies RH Aaron Nola (16-5, 2.42)

Matz saw his winless stretch extend to seven outings after receiving a no-decision in his third straight trip to the mound on Thursday against Miami. The 27-year-old may not be getting the desired results, but he has pitched well recently, yielding nine runs on 16 hits in his last five starts (30 1/3 innings). Matz owns an 0-1 mark in three starts this season versus Philadelphia, permitting nine runs (seven earned) on 13 hits - including four homers - in 12 innings.

Nola has surrendered seven of his 15 homers this season in his last three starts, falling to 1-2 in that stretch after allowing four runs in five innings of Wednesday's 5-1 setback versus Washington. The 25-year-old All-Star's performance dropped him to 9-2 with a 2.46 ERA in 15 home starts this season. Brandon Nimmo and Jose Reyes are both 1-for-10 against Nola, who sports a 6-1 career mark with a 3.38 ERA and 1.10 WHIP in eight career encounters versus the Mets.

WALK-OFFS

1. Philadelphia 1B Carlos Santana walked twice in the series opener to raise his total to 13 this season versus New York.

2. Mets 2B Jeff McNeil had a run-scoring single to highlight a three-hit performance in the opener to improve to 17-for-37 with six RBIs and nine runs scored against the Phillies this season.

3. Philadelphia 2B Asdrubal Cabrera is just 5-for-27 against his former team this season.

PREDICTION: Phillies 2, Mets 1