The New York Mets (6-2) and Philadelphia Phillies (3-5) will close out a three-game National League East series on Sunday afternoon inside Citizens Bank Park, with the first pitch scheduled for 1:35 ET
New York Mets at Philadelphia Phillies
New York will go for the series sweep after tallying an impressive 5-0 shutout win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday. The Mets were sparked at the plate by the return of third baseman David Wright, who homered and finished the game with three hits, as he returned to the lineup after suffering a broken pinkie finger. “I felt good,” stated Wright after the game. “I wouldn’t have gone out there if I didn’t think I can contribute.” The bullpen has been outstanding thus far, coming into yesterday’s game ranking seventh in the majors with a 2.35 ERA. New York is 3-1 in day games and the “under” is 3-1 in those contests.
Mets starting pitcher Mike Pelfrey (0-0, 4.76 ERA) is coming off a no-decision effort against the Nationals in his first start of the year, giving up three runs and 10 hits over 5.2 innings of work, as the team picked up a 4-3 home victory. The right-hander will be facing the Phillies for the 20th time in his career, coming in with an even 7-7 mark and 5.37 ERA, including a losing 2-3 record and 8.60 ERA in eight outings at today’s venue.
Philadelphia has gotten off to a slow start this season due to an offense that’s missing key figures and hitting just .243 overall. The Phillies have managed to score more than four runs in a game just once through eight contests. “We’re eight games in, it doesn’t faze me at all,” stated Phillies manager Charlie Manuel. Playing at home has been beneficial to the club, especially during the 2011 campaign, as it finished with a 52-29 record. Philadelphia is 33-22 in April over the last two-plus years.
Phillies SP Cole Hamels (0-1, 5.06 ERA) will look to shake off a rough first start of the 2012 season, allowing four runs (three earned) and eight hits over 5.1 frames in a 6-2 home loss to the Miami Marlins on April 9. The left-hander hasn’t enjoyed much success against Sunday’s opponent, registering a 3-10 record and 4.46 ERA in 17 career starts versus the Mets. Hamels was a disappointing 1-2 with a 6.86 ERA in four starts in this series a year ago.
Bettors will likely back the Mets due to their 5-1 record in the last six meetings, while the Phillies are 0-8 as a home favorite of -151 to -200.
Make sure to check out our Major League Baseball picks all season long and get the most up-to-date betting odds at Bookmaker
