The Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets close out a three-game National League East series Sunday afternoon at Citi Field

Philadelphia Phillies at New York Mets

Philadelphia dropped an 11-2 contest in New York Saturday afternoon and is now 7-4 in the season series.  The Phillies were never really in the contest, trailing by seven runs before plating their only two runners in the seventh frame.  “One of those things you have to get through, as it’s going to happen in baseball,” Phillies starting pitcher Cole Hamels commented.  The club can definitely bounce back due to its 28-16 record against NL East opponents and playing under the sunshine has been a good situation in the clubhouse the entire year.  Offensively, the team has the third-best daytime batting average among all NL teams at .271, trailing only Cincinnati (.279) and today’s opponent (.272).  Philadelphia is 21-10 in day games this year.

Phillies starting pitcher Kyle Kendrick is 4-4 with a 3.58 ERA in 22 games (seven starts) this season.  The right-hander has garnered a 2-2 mark and 4.37 ERA in his starting assignments, holding opponents to one earned run or less in four of those.  He will be toeing the rubber for just the eighth time during the day, posting a 1-0 record and 4.35 ERA.  Kendrick has made five appearances (two starts) versus the Mets, entering with an 0-3 record and 3.20 ERA, allowing three earned runs or less in all of those outings.

New York snapped a three-game losing streak and is now 20-23 at Citi Field on the year.  The Mets offense broke out in a big way after managing just 10 runs over a previous five-game span, led by utility player Scott Hairston, who homered and drove in five runs.  “I found out I was in the lineup right away, it gave me a couple hours to prepare,” Hairston stated.  “I rely on my experience.”  It was a surprising day, as the entire lineup represented just 22 long balls for the season and not a single player had an on-base percentage above .350.  The Mets are 23rd in the majors with 61 home runs overall.  New York is an even 16-16 versus divisional opponents.

Mets starting pitcher Mike Pelfrey is 5-8 with a 4.55 ERA in 19 starts this season and has pitched well over his last two outings.  In those particular starts, he has allowed just two runs and 13 hits combined, while registering seven strikeouts in 12 innings.  The right-hander is a perfect 3-0 with a 2.96 ERA in seven home starts, as opponents are hitting just .220 against him.  In 16 career games versus the Phillies, Pelfrey has tallied a winning 6-5 mark and 5.01 ERA.  His last win against them came at Citi Field on September 11, 2020, allowing two runs and six hits over 7 1/3 frames.

Bettors will likely back the Mets due 6-2 record as a home underdog, while the Phillies are 2-5 in Kendrick’s last seven starts as a favorite