Following a split against the top team in baseball, the Phillies continue their homestand with a five-game series against the Mets. The Phils sit two games behind the Braves in the NL East, so an extended series against a struggling team could pay big dividends. Nonetheless, Kap’s team will have its hands full as they will face the Mets’ two aces back-to-back.
In Thursday’s doubleheader we will see Ranger Suarez in Game 1 and Zach Eflin in Game 2. This will be Suarez’s first appearance since his debut against the Reds on July 26. Friday and Saturday should provide some entertaining baseball with two solid pitching duels: Aaron Nola vs. Noah Syndergaard then Jake Arrieta vs. Jacob deGrom. On Sunday, the Phillies and Mets will travel to Williamsport, PA for the Little League Classic with Nick Pivetta facing off against Jason Vargas.
This series has the potential to make or break the Phillies season. They are coming off arguably their biggest win of the season and seek to build on that momentum heading into the stretch run. With the team now looking up at the Braves, the underdog story needs an important chapter here. Stealing a win against deGrom will be tough but the other four games are all certainly winnable.
Winnable, but not easy. The Mets have won 19 of the last 25 series against the Phillies. They are also 43-22 versus the Fightins since the start of the 2015 (5-3 this year) and have dominated at Citizens Bank Park – 41-18 since 2012. Still, the Phillies have the third best record at home in the majors this season and that advantage could prove useful this week.
Be sure to check the schedule below, games are being played at unusual times and only one is on NBC Sports Philadelphia!
Pitching Matchups:
Game 1: Ranger Suarez (1-0, 7.20 ERA, 7.76 FIP) vs. Corey Oswalt (1-2, 5.03 ERA, 5.06 FIP)
Game 2: Zach Eflin (8-4, 3.57 ERA, 3.82 FIP) vs. Steven Matz (5-9, 4.35 ERA, 4.74 FIP)
Game 3: Aaron Nola (13-3, 2.28 ERA, 2.81 FIP) vs. Noah Syndergaard (8-2, 3.22 ERA, 2.66 FIP)
Game 4: Jake Arrieta (9-7, 3.33 ERA, 3.94 FIP) vs. Jacob deGrom (7-7, 1.81 ERA, 2.13 FIP)
Game 5: Nick Pivetta (7-9, 4.37 ERA, 3.49 FIP) vs. Jason Vargas (2-8, 8.10 ERA, 6.14 FIP)
Where to Watch/Listen:
Game 1 – Thursday, 4:05
TV: Facebook Live
Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
Game 2 – Thursday, 7:35
TV: MLB Network
Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
Game 3 – Friday, 6:05
TV: MLB Network
Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
Game 4 – Saturday, 4:05
TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia
Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
Game 5 – Little League Classic – Sunday, 8:08
TV: ESPN
Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
Series Notes:
- Maikel Franco is batting .316 over his last 16 games.
- Rhys Hoskins is batting .267 against the Mets this season.
- Aaron Nola is 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA in three starts against the Mets this year.
- Noah Syndergaard is 5-1 with a 3.32 ERA in his last seven starts.
- The Mets rank last in the MLB in team batting average at .232.
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