Philadelphia @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 10, 2018 ) Philadelphia 7, NY Mets 3

Jacob deGrom will make his last scheduled start prior to the All-Star Game as the New York Mets (36-53) bid to salvage a split of their four-game series against the visiting Philadelphia Phillies (51-39) on Wednesday. The Mets' lone representative in the Midsummer Classic, deGrom has been plagued by a lack of offensive support to sport just a 5-4 mark despite leading the majors with a 1.79 ERA.

DeGrom would be wise to keep an eye on Maikel Franco, who homered for the second time this series to highlight a four-RBI performance in Tuesday's 7-3 victory. The 25-year-old Franco is 11-for-25 with seven RBIs since batting out of the No. 8 spot in the lineup for Philadelphia, which has won 10 of its last 13 contests to climb back into first place in the National League East. New York, which is battling Miami to stay out of the division's cellar, has scored just eight runs while losing four of its last five games overall and 19 of its last 23 at Citi Field. Amed Rosario legged out two triples to highlight a three-hit performance on Tuesday after going 1-for-17 in his previous contests in July.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, NBCS Philadelphia, SNY (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Vince Velasquez (5-8, 4.69 ERA) vs. Mets RH Jacob deGrom (5-4, 1.79)

Velasquez will make his first start since landing on the 10-day disabled list after getting drilled on the right forearm by a line drive. The 26-year-old threw left-handed to get the out at first base before departing that game, but he is just 1-4 in his last eight starts. Asdrubal Cabrera is 5-for-11 and Michael Conforto is 4-for-7 with two homers versus Velasquez, who sports a 1-3 mark with a 4.61 ERA in six career starts against the Mets.

Limited offensive support has been a constant story for deGrom, who owns a 1-4 mark in his last nine outings despite allowing just 15 runs in 64 innings over that span. The 30-year-old yielded just one run on four hits over eight innings of a no-decision against Tampa Bay on Friday. DeGrom, who tossed 45 pitches in one inning before being removed as a precaution versus Philadelphia on May 13, owns a sterling 6-1 mark in 12 career starts against the Phillies.

WALK-OFFS

1. Philadelphia RF Nick Williams recorded his second three-hit performance of the series to improve to 10-for-24 with two homers, seven RBIs and four runs scored in his last seven games.

2. New York CF Brandon Nimmo is 6-for-46 with 20 strikeouts in his last 15 contests.

3. Cabrera is expected to play in the series finale after aggravating his hyperextended left elbow on Tuesday, manager Mickey Callaway said.

PREDICTION: Mets 3, Phillies 2