New York @ Philadelphia preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 18, 2018 ) NY Mets 2, Philadelphia 5

The Philadelphia Phillies look to answer an 11-series winless stretch by capturing their second straight set on Wednesday when they play the rubber match of their three-game series versus the visiting New York Mets (70-81). Winners of just five of 16 in September, the Phillies (77-73) are keeping their faint postseason aspirations alive as they reside 5 1/2 games behind National League East-leading Atlanta.

Jorge Alfaro belted a three-run homer to highlight a five-run sixth inning in Philadelphia's 5-2 win on Tuesday. Fellow catcher Wilson Ramos had an RBI single in his lone at-bat and likely will get the start on Wednesday versus New York, against which he is 11-for-31 this season. Mets first baseman Dominic Smith had an RBI double to improve to 3-for-8 in the series, although he is just 7-for-28 with 10 strikeouts against the Phillies in 2018. Fellow infielder Jeff McNeil has tormented Philadelphia, collecting two singles to up his mark to 19-for-41 with six RBIs and nine runs scored this season.

TV: 6:05 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), NBCS Philadelphia

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Noah Syndergaard (12-3, 3.26 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Zach Eflin (10-7, 4.26)

Syndergaard won his third straight start in grand fashion Friday, scattering three hits over seven innings in an 8-0 romp at Boston. The 26-year-old evened his 2018 mark at 1-1 against Philadelphia after picking up the win on Sept. 8, but his season ERA (5.51) and opponent's batting average (.348) versus the club leave a bit to be desired. Cesar Hernandez (8-for-20) and Ramos (7-for-18) have flustered Syndergaard in their careers, however the hurler has gotten the better of Nick Williams (1-for-10) and Aaron Altherr (1-for-9).

Eflin snapped a three-start slide with a strong effort on Friday, yielding one run on five hits over 6 1/3 innings of a 14-2 rout versus Miami. The 24-year-old is aiming to rebound from a porous performance against the Mets on Sept. 8, when he allowed six runs across three innings of a 10-5 setback. Amed Rosario (3-for-8) and Jose Reyes (3-for-10) each have three doubles versus Eflin while Michael Conforto has a homer and five RBIs against him.

WALK-OFFS

1. Philadelphia 1B Carlos Santana is 3-for-4 with four walks in the series.

2. New York owns a 44-21 mark at Citizens Bank Park since 2012 and has outhomered the hosts 32-21.

3. Phillies LF Rhys Hoskins is 0-for-8 with three strikeouts in the series.

PREDICTION: Mets 3, Phillies 2