The Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets meet in a three-game series starting tonight between National League East rivals at Citi Field
Philadelphia Phillies at New York Mets
Philadelphia is coming off an impressive 10-4 win over Cincinnati to close out its most recent homestand and now looks to snap a four-game skid away from home. The Phillies are 4-2 against the Mets this season and will be making their first 2011 appearance at Citi Field. The club was shut out in the first four meetings at the venue last year before winning four of the final five. Second baseman Chase Utley may help the offense in this particular series after homering for the first time since October 10 on Thursday afternoon. “When Utley gets going, that’s definitely going to help our offense,” Phillies manager Charlie Manuel stated. Utley went 2-for-14 in four games this week after missing the start of the season on the disabled list with a knee injury. Philadelphia is 12-3 versus left-handed starters this year.
Phillies starting pitcher Roy Oswalt has registered a 3-2 record and 2.77 ERA in seven starts this season, but has failed to taste victory in his last three starts. Philadelphia has managed to give him just six runs of support over that span. The right-hander is coming off two solid efforts versus the Cardinals and Rangers, giving up just two runs and 15 hits over 12 frames. Oswalt enters with a 2-1 record and 3.15 ERA in four road outings and has yet to surrender a home run away from Citizens Bank Park in 20 innings. In 14 career starts versus the Mets, he has compiled a 6-5 mark and 3.33 ERA, including a shutout victory in his lone appearance at Citi Field.
New York is hampered with injuries entering this important series against Philadelphia, but expect to have outfielder Angel Pagan back from the disable list tonight. He is expected to assume the starting center field position upon his return, but manager Terry Collins may ease him back in the lineup. “I want to make sure he looks good, he looks like he’s swinging good, that there’s no hesitancy in his swing at all,” Collins stated. The club will still be without the services of first baseman Ike Davis and David Wright due to injuries. Sluggers Jason Bay and Carlos Beltran will need to provide the offense, hitting .355 and .375 respectively against Oswalt. New York is 10-11 versus division opponents this year.
Mets starter Chris Capuano will be making his 11th appearance (ninth start) of the season, bringing in a losing 3-5 mark and 5.36 ERA. The left-hander is allowing opponents to hit .294 against him and has allowed nine home runs in just 48 2/3 innings. Capuano has compiled an even 2-2 record and 5.04 ERA in four home outings and hasn’t thrown at Citi Field since May 4. In five career outings (four starts) against the Phillies, he is 0-2 with a 3.20 ERA, but has registered 21 strikeouts in 25 2/3 frames.
Bettors will be interested in backing the Mets due to their 5-2 record in their last seven home games, while the Phillies are 1-4 in Oswalt’s last five starts
