The Mets (17-21) will host Joe Girardi‘s Philadelphia Phillies (18-15) in a four-game series at Citi Field beginning Friday night at 7:10 pm. The teams will clash again at 7:10 pm on Saturday night, and the series will conclude with day games on Sunday and Monday (Labor Day) at 1:10 pm.
All of the games in the series can be seen on SNY and heard locally on WCBS 880 a.m.
The Mets are coming from a stirring and emotional win against the Yankees on Thursday, on a day that they honored legend Tom Seaver. The Mets battled back from a four-run deficit early and a three-run deficit late in the game. They overcame some ill-advised base running by Billy Hamilton in the ninth inning to tie the game on a J.D. Davis home run off Aroldis Chapman. The Mets won in the bottom of the tenth inning on a walk-off home run by Pete Alonso, after some questionable Yankees’ base running in the top of the frame.
On Friday night, Rick Porcello (1-4, 6.00 ERA) will take on Jake Arrieta (2-4, 6.49) in a matchup of two right-handers and former Cy Young Award winners. Porcello was good in his last start, on August 30th against the Yankees in game one of a doubleheader. In that game, he allowed two runs on four hits over five innings in a game the Mets would eventually lose. Porcello has allowed 44 hits in 33 IP, and has walked eight for a WHIP of 1.576. Arrieta has not had a good season, particularly by his standards. He has surrendered 31 hits in 26.1 IP, and walked 10 for a WHIP of 1.557.
On Saturday night, Seth Lugo (1-2, 2.12 ERA) will face Spencer Howard (1-1, 5.40 ERA) in another matchup of right-handers. Since moving to the rotation (his first start was August 25th), Lugo has started twice, pitching three and three and two-thirds innings respectively. The Mets are trying to stretch Lugo out as he continues his transition to starting. He’s been effective in his short outings, pitching a combined six and two-thirds innings, allowing four hits, one run, and striking out 12. Howard is hittable, having allowed 24 hits in 16.2 IP. He has walked seven, for a WHIP of 1.86.
Sunday afternoon is an outstanding matchup of aces, as Jacob deGrom (2-1, 1.76 ERA) will face Aaron Nola (4-2, 2.45 ERA). DeGrom has been, well, deGrom this season. Over 41 IP, he has allowed 28 hits and walked 9, for a WHIP of 0.90. DeGrom has recorded 58 strikeouts, and is using all of his pitches effectively. His four-seam fastball is averaging 99 mph. Nola has been equally impressive, allowing 26 hits in 44 IP. He has walked six for a WHIP of 0.86. These right-handers will put on a show on Sunday.
Monday afternoon, Zack Wheeler (4-0, 2.20 ERA) will oppose his former team for the Phillies. The Mets have not named a starter, though Michael Wacha and David Peterson would seem to be likely choices, as both pitched on Wednesday in Baltimore. Wheeler has been very good this season, tossing 45 innings and letting up 39 hits and walking nine for a WHIP of 1.07.
What To Watch For
The Mets absolutely need to generate some momentum. They have won two in a row, and are facing a team ahead of them in both NL East and NL playoff race overall. Time is running short with just 22 games remaining.
Robinson Cano continues to rake, and is at .375/.408/.667 with seven home runs.
Dominic Smith has cooled a bit, to .300/.381/.630. He has seven home runs on the season. The Mets need Smith to get hot again, as his bat can help carry the team.
Michael Conforto had a huge game on Wednesday in Baltimore. He’s slashing .326/.419/.522 with six home runs.
Mets’ starters are 24th in MLB with a 5.25 ERA. Their bullpen ERA is 4.22, 13th in MLB.
The Mets team BA leads MLB at .271, and their OBP is .351, also first in MLB.
For the Phillies, J.T. Realmuto has been their best offensive player by bWAR, slashing .261/.343/.529 with nine home runs.
Bryce Harper is at .276/.431/.533 with seven home runs.
The Phillies’ team BA is .261, ninth in MLB. Their OBP is .345, third in MLB.
Phillies’ starters have a combined ERA of 3.93, ninth in MLB. Their relievers have an ERA of 6.69, last in MLB.
The Mets need to take advantage of the Phillies’ bullpen in this series, something they were unable to do when the Phillies swept the Mets in Philadelphia in early August. The Mets need to play better overall baseball, and tighten up things like their defense, starting pitching, base running, and hitting with runners on base. It’s a tall order, but they a deficit to make up and little time with which to do it.
