Categories: Gameday

With two managers under fire, Phillies welcome Mets to town

Zach Eflin has been the Phillies best starter in 2019. (Ian D’Andrea)

Gabe Kapler will manage the Philadelphia Phillies Monday, while Mickey Callaway will do so for the New York Mets. But it would be harder to find two managers with warmer seats in the sport. It’s not hyperbole to suggest that the outcome of this week’s four-game series between the two teams could go a long way in determining the job security of the two second-year skippers.

The Phillies, who have lost seven straight, were just swept by the lowly Miami Marlins. Kapler’s squad is 6-14 in June, and after Sunday’s loss, they’re only one game above .500. And yet, the Phillies enter Monday night just a game out of the second Wild Card spot in the National League.

Meanwhile, the Mets are just three-and-a-half games back in the National League Wild Card race, led by superstar rookie Pete Alonso. They’ll look to get back on track Monday night after Callaway and pitcher Jason Vargas got into a verbal altercation with a beat reporter Sunday afternoon.

Here’s everything you need to know before Monday evening’s Phillies-Mets tilt:

Phillies Lineup

Scott Kingery, left field
Jean Segura, shortstop
Bryce Harper, right field
Rhys Hoskins, first base
J.T. Realmuto, catcher
Cesar Hernandez, second base
Roman Quinn, center field
Maikel Franco, third base
Zach Eflin, pitcher

Opposing Lineup

Jeff McNeil, right field
Pete Alonso, first base
Robinson Cano, second base
Michael Conforto, center field
Todd Frazier, third base
Dominic Smith, left field
Wilson Ramos, catcher
Amed Rosario, shortstop
Steven Matz, pitcher

Shibe Vintage Sports Starting Pitching Matchup

Steven Matz (5-5, 4.28 ERA and 4.99 FIP) vs. Zach Eflin (6-7, 2.83 ERA and 4.01 FIP)
Matz has pitched twice against the Phillies in 2019 and the two starts couldn’t have been more different. On April 6 at Citizens Bank Park, Matz didn’t record a single out, as he gave up eight runs, six of which were earned, in the bottom of the first inning. Six days later, he lasted six innings and only gave up one run in a Mets win at Citi Field.
Eflin has had a strong 2019 season, but one of his worst starts of the season came on April 23 at Citi Field when he gave up just four runs over just four innings.

Pregame Phillies Nuggets

Mets rookie Pete Alonso broke Darryl Strawberry’s rookie home run record Sunday with his 27th home run, which he hit off of Cole Hamels. Carlos Beltran and Todd Hundley own the Mets single-season home run record at 41 each.
J.T. Realmuto is hitless in his last 15 at-bats.
In 65 career at-bats against the Phillies, Jeff McNeil is hitting .446 with eight RBIs.
Scott Kingery has as many home runs in June (six) as Bryce Harper and Rhys Hoskins combined.
In 183 career at-bats at Citizens Bank Park, Wilson Ramos has hit .295 with seven home runs and 35 RBIs.

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