Categories: Gameday

After rainy, emotional loss, Zach Eflin and company look to rebound vs. Mets

Zach Eflin has been a bright spot in the Phillies rotation, and with the offense in a slump, the team needs a lights-out starter more than ever. (Ian D’Andrea)

Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Zach Eflin will look to keep his solid start to the 2019 season going against the Mets tonight at Citi Field. In four games this year, Eflin has a 3.68 ERA with 20 strikeouts in 22 innings pitched. In his last start, Eflin gave up three runs (two earned) in six innings against the Colorado Rockies and took the loss.

However, all eyes may be on the offense. The Phillies looked lost last night, getting only three hits off of Mets pitching (two coming from Cesar Hernandez). In the last two games, the Phillies have just eight hits. In addition, over the last five games the Phillies have scored 15 runs, with eight of those coming in the Phillies lone victory in that span.

Opposing pitcher Zach Wheeler has struggled to start the year, coming into tonight’s matchup with a 6.35 ERA in four games. That may be just what the Phillies need to get back on the right track.

After losing to the Mets last night, Philadelphia and New York are now tied for first in the National League East with 12-10 records. That means whoever wins tonight will be alone on top, at least for the next day. Atlanta currently sits in third with an 11-10 record.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of tonight’s Phillies-Mets game:

Phillies Starting Lineup

Andrew McCutchen, left field
J.T. Realmuto, catcher
Bryce Harper, right field
Rhys Hoskins, first base
Maikel Franco, third base
Cesar Hernandez, second base
Phil Gosselin, shortstop
Zach Eflin, pitcher
Roman Quinn, center field

Mets Starting Lineup

Brandon Nimmo, center field
Pete Alonso, first base
Robinson Cano, second base
Michael Conforto, right field
Wilson Ramos, catcher
Jeff McNeil, left field
Todd Frazier, third base
Luis Guillorme, shortstop
Zach Wheeler, Pitcher

Embed from Getty Images

Shibe Vintage Sports Starting Pitching Matchup

Eflin has struggled mightily in his career against the Mets. In the seven games he’s faced off against New York, he’s gone 2-3 with an unsightly 5.25 ERA (36.0 innings pitched). He’s struck 34 batters while walking 14.
Wheeler has been much better in his career versus the Phillies than Eflin has with the Mets. In 11 games started against Philadelphia, Wheeler is 4-2 with a 3.41 ERA. He’s pitched 63.1 innings, giving up 24 runs while striking out 62. Wheeler has yet to walk a single Phillies batter.

Pregame Phillies Nuggets

With his home run last night (the Phillies only run of the game), Rhys Hoskins now has six home runs for the season, which ties him with Maikel Franco for most on the team. Bryce Harper is in third with five.
Harper is the Phillies player who’s seen Zach Wheeler the most. In 28 at-bats against the pitcher, Harper has a .179 average with one home run and four RBIs. Cesar Hernandez has a .500 average against Wheeler (eight hits in 16 at-bats); while J.T. Realmuto has a .455 average in 11 at-bats vs. Wheeler.
While Eflin’s 5.25 ERA against the Mets leaves room for improvement, his performance at Citi Field could use even more work. In three games pitching in New York, Eflin has a 6.92 ERA. He’s pitched just 13 innings in those starts (about four innings per start).
The Phillies have been sloppy in the field as of late. In last night’s game, they committed three errors (two coming from Hernandez). In the last five games, the Phillies have committed six errors. In only one of those games did they have zero errors.