The New York Mets (15-13) and Philadelphia Phillies (13-15) will open up a National League East series on Monday night at Citizens Bank Park, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:05 ET on ESPN

New York Mets at Philadelphia Phillies 

New York won two of three against the Arizona Diamondbacks over the weekend, including a 3-1 home victory inside Citi Field on Sunday afternoon.  The Mets also managed to win their first series against the Phillies during the 2012 campaign, taking two of three games inside this ball park from April 13-15.  Third baseman David Wright is the player to watch, hitting .407 with three home runs and seven RBIs in his last seven contests in the City of Brotherly Love.  New York is 10-5 versus divisional foes this year.

Mets starting pitcher Jonathon Niese (2-1, 4.08 ERA) has watched the team alternate wins and losses over his last four starts, coming off a 6-3 road loss to the Houston Astros last time out. He allowed five runs and six hits over three frames in that contest.  The left-hander is 1-1 with a 4.66 ERA in two road outings, serving up two home runs in 9.2 combined innings.  In nine career games versus the Phillies, Niese brings in an even 4-4 mark and 3.58 ERA, including a 5-0 win at Citizens Bank Park on April 14 (6.2 IP, 5 H).

Philadelphia avoided getting swept in its recent three-game road series against the Washington Nationals, picking up a 9-3 win on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball.  The Phillies have not posted a sub-.500 record in May since 2002, winning at least 15 games during the month since the 2004 campaign.  The club has still never been swept in a series at Nationals Park.  Philadelphia is 5-5 in home games this year, but 28-18 as a home favorite of -175 to -200 the last two-plus seasons.

Phillies starting pitcher Roy Halladay (3-2, 3.40 ERA) has watched the club drop his last three efforts, including a 15-13 road loss to the Atlanta Braves last time out.  He didn’t factor into the decision, giving up eight runs and 12 hits over 5.1 innings of work.  The right-hander is 1-1 with a 2.57 ERA in two home starts, as opposing hitters are batting just .212 against him.  In 11 career games versus the Mets, Halladay has tallied a 9-2 mark and 2.88 ERA.

Bettors will likely back the Phillies due to their 20-7 record in Halladay’s last 27 starts to open a series, while the Mets are 1-4 in Niese’s last five road outings.

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