Series Preview: Mets Travel To Philadelphia For Three With Phillies

The New York Mets (9-10), coming off a disappointing home stand that saw them go 2-3 against the Nationals and Red Sox, are set to visit Citizens Bank Park for the second time this season, taking on Joe Girardi‘s Philadelphia Phillies (12-13) in a three-game series.

The Mets took two of three from the Nationals at Citi Field last weekend, including Jacob deGrom‘s epic performance on Friday night (complete game, 15 strikeouts). However, in a two-game series with the Red Sox, the Mets scored just one run on nine hits, continuing a season-long offensive malaise that is epitomized by their .187 batting average with runners in scoring position, the lowest in the major leagues in those key situations.

Luis Rojas‘s squad will try to solve their woes at the plate in hitter-friendly Citizens Bank Park, where they opened their season after the postponement of their scheduled opening series in Washington. In their first series in Philadelphia, the Mets lost two of three, scoring 13 runs in the series.

The Phillies are coming from St. Louis, where they spilt a four-game series. In the third game of that series, both Bryce Harper and Didi Gregorius were hit by pitches in the same inning, with Harper being hit in the face. The incidents caused some commotion, resulting in Girardi’s ejection.

In total, the Mets and Phillies have played six games this season, with the Mets winning four of the six. This weekend’s series concludes on Sunday night with an ESPN broadcast. The weather should not be an issue during the series. Let’s take a look at the projected pitching matchups.

Friday, April 30, RHP Marcus Stroman (3-1) NYM vs RHP Chase Anderson (0-3) PHI, 7:05 pm

Stroman in 2021: GS: 4, ERA: 2.25, WHIP: 1.28,  IP: 24, H: 18, BB: 5, SO: 15,  ER: 6, HR: 1

Last 3 starts: April 13 vs. PHI (W, 6IP, 0ER), April 18 vs. COL (W, 8IP, 0ER), April 24 vs. WSH (L, 4IP, 4ER)

Anderson in 2021: GS: 4, ERA: 6.48, WHIP: 1.44: IP, 16.2, H: 16, BB: 8, SO: 13, ER: 12, HR: 3

Last 3 starts: April 13 vs. NYM (ND, 4IP, 2ER), April 19 vs SF (L, 4IP, 2ER), April 25 vs. COL (L, 3.2IP, 6ER)

Stroman is coming off his only loss of the season in his last start against Washington. The Long Island native had been pitching very well until that start, and recorded the Mets’ first win of the season on April 6 in Philadelphia. Anderson is a Texas native, who is in his eighth season, having spent time in Arizona, Milwaukee, and Toronto before joining the Phillies for the 2021 season.

The game can be seen locally on WPIX, and heard locally on WCBS radio 880 a.m.

Saturday, May 1, RHP Taijuan Walker (1-1) NYM vs RHP Zack Wheeler (2-2) PHI, 6:05 pm

Walker in 2021: GS: 4, ERA: 3.60, WHIP: 1.24,  IP: 21, H: 12, BB: 14, SO: 23,  ER: 5, HR: 0

Last 3 starts: April 13 vs. PHI (ND, 4.1IP, 1ER), April 20 vs. CHC (L, 3.2IP, 2ER), April 25 vs. WSH (W, 7IP, 0ER)

Wheeler in 2021: GS: 5, ERA: 3.13, WHIP: 1.11: IP: 31.2 H: 24, BB: 11, SO: 35, ER: 11, HR: 4

Last 3 starts: April 14 vs. NYM (L, 6.1IP, 3ER), April 20 vs SF (ND, 5.2IP, 4ER), April 26 vs. STL (W, 8IP, 1ER)

Walker was brilliant in his last start against the Nationals, allowing just three hits over seven innings pitched. Walks have been a concern for the Louisiana native thus far, as he issued six free passes in his start against the Cubs on April 20 on a frigid night at Wrigley Field. Walker will try to rely on what he does when he is at his best, generating soft contact. In his start on April 25, he struck out just four Nationals while going seven scoreless innings.

Wheeler, the former Met, has a career record of 50-42 over seven seasons. In last year’s abbreviated season, his first as a Phillie, the Georgia native posted a 4-2 record with a 2.92 ERA.

The game can be seen locally on SNY and heard on WCBS radio 880 a.m.

Sunday, May 2, LHP  David Peterson  (1-3) NYM vs RHP Zach Eflin (1-1) PHI, 7:08 pm

Peterson in 2021: GS: 4, ERA: 5.59, WHIP: 1.24,  IP: 19.1, H: 18, BB: 6, SO: 21,  ER: 12, HR: 4

Last 3 starts: April 14 vs. PHI (W, 6.0IP, 1ER), April 21 vs. CHC (L, 3.1IP, 3ER), April 27 vs. BOS (L, 6IP, 2ER)

Eflin in 2021: GS: 5, ERA: 3.58, WHIP: 1.07: IP: 32.2 H: 33, BB: 2, SO: 27, ER: 13, HR: 3

Last 3 starts: April 16 vs. STL (W, 7.0IP, 2ER), April 21 vs SF (ND, 6.0IP, 1ER), April 27 vs. STL (L, 6.2IP, 5ER)

Peterson, in his sophomore season, has been inconsistent. His first start of the season in Philadelphia did not go well, but he was able to back that up with a good start against the Phillies at Citi Field. He struggled in Chicago in his third start, but rebounded to be very effective against the hard-hitting Red Sox in his fourth start.

The Phillies have to be very happy with Eflin’s body of work thus far. The Florida native has a career record of 30-34 with a career ERA of 4.56 and a 1.32 career WHIP over five seasons.

The game can be seen locally on ESPN and heard on WCBS radio 880 a.m.

Series Notes for Mets (stats through April 29)

The Mets are batting .234 as a team, 14th in baseball, and their OBP is .318, which is 10th

The Mets’ staff ERA is 3.04, third overall. Their starters’ ERA 2.64, which is second, and their relievers’ ERA is 3.83, which in 10th

Mets OPS leaders are Brandon Nimmo (.923), Pete Alonso (.833), and Michael Conforto (.668)

Edwin Diaz has a 2.00 ERA and has struck out 11 batters in nine innings pitched

Series Notes for Phillies (stats through April 29)

The Phillies are batting .235 as a team through, 11th overall, and their OBP is .310, which was 12th overall

The Phillies’ staff ERA is 4.49, which ranks 22nd in baseball. Their starters’ ERA is 4.30 which is 18th, and their relievers’ ERA is 4.82, which is 25th

Phillies OPS leaders are Bryce Harper (1.063), J.T. Realmuto (.895), Rhys Hoskins (.860)

Jean Segura is on the ten-day injured list

The Mets need to get their offense going, and quickly. They’re missing Aaron Nola in this series, but they are facing Zack Wheeler. They traditionally have hit well at Citizens Bank Park. Perhaps that ballpark can be the elixir for what is ailing their offense.

After this series, the Mets will venture to St. Louis for four games. It’s still early, but there is no time like the present to right the ship begin firing on all cylinders.