Mets at Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies wasted little time exacting revenge after losing the opener in extra innings, as they set the tone the following day with a 10-run outburst in the first to even the series. The Phillies look to keep the scoreboard operator busy once again on Wednesday afternoon as they vie for a rare series win versus the visiting New York Mets.
Maikel Franco belted a two-run blast in the opener and added a three-run shot in the double-digit inning of Tuesday's 14-3 romp to give him a team-leading six homers. J.T. Realmuto ripped a pair of two-run doubles in the lopsided frame and joined Scott Kingery with a homer, three hits and five RBIs on Tuesday for Philadelphia, which bids for just its eighth series win against New York in its last 29 opportunities since 2012. Steven Matz surrendered eight runs without retiring a batter on Tuesday, adding yet another blemish to an ailing starting rotation that was supposed to be a strength for the Mets this season. Right-hander Zack Wheeler will look to answer the bell on Wednesday afternoon and reduce the rotation's collective 5.62 ERA and 1.42 WHIP.
TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, SNY (New York), NBCS Philadelphia
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Zack Wheeler (1-1, 7.47 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Jake Arrieta (2-1, 2.25)
Wheeler answered a disastrous outing with a strong one on Friday, allowing two runs and striking out eight in six innings of a 6-2 win at Atlanta. The 28-year-old Georgia native boasts a 4-1 career mark with a 3.36 ERA against Philadelphia and a 3-0 record at Citizens Bank Park. Cesar Hernandez has brutalized Wheeler to the tune of going 7-for-14 at the plate, although the hurler has flustered Odubel Herrera (1-for-11, four strikeouts), Bryce Harper (5-for-26, 11 strikeouts) and Franco (1-for-7).
Arrieta overcame one bad inning in his previous start with seven strong ones on Friday, yielding one run on five hits while striking out eight to secure his 100th career win with a 9-1 romp over Miami. The 2015 National League Cy Young Award recipient kept the ball in the park versus the Marlins after being taken deep twice in the same frame in a 6-2 setback to Minnesota on April 6. Arrieta lost his lone decision in three starts versus the Mets last season despite permitting five runs and striking out 17 in 18 1/3 innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. New York OF Jeff McNeil is 14-for-29 during his seven-game hitting streak and has reached base in all 14 of his starts.
2. Philadelphia OF Andrew McCutchen is 9-for-22 with six runs scored during his five-game hitting streak.
3. Mets 2B Robinson Cano has three doubles and as many RBIs during his four-game hitting streak.