Phillies at Mets
The Philadelphia Phillies' high-powered offense has short-circuited primarily due to injury of late, but the team lost a key cog in the series opener following the ejection of Bryce Harper. With losses in four of five to begin their seven-game road trip, the Phillies look to keep their emotions in check on Tuesday when they continue their three-game set against the New York Mets.
Harper's ejection for arguing balls and strikes in the fourth inning did injury-riddled Philadelphia no favors at the plate, as the team mustered just three hits and saw its final 16 hitters retired in Monday's 5-1 setback at Citi Field. "We need him in right field," Phillies pitcher Jake Arrieta said following Harper's 12th career ejection. "I don't care how bad the umpire is. We need him in right field and he wasn't there. That hurts." New York's Pete Alonso drove in a pair of runs to boost his RBI total to 21, a staggering number considering no other rookie in franchise history had reached double digits prior to May. Jeff McNeil, who belted a solo homer in the series opener, is 9-for-15 against Philadelphia this season.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, NBCS Philadelphia-Plus, SNY (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Zach Eflin (2-2, 3.68 ERA) vs. Mets RH Zack Wheeler (1-2, 6.35)
Eflin sustained his second straight loss Thursday after allowing three runs (two earned) on seven hits in six innings of a 6-2 setback at Colorado. The 25-year-old was taken deep for the fifth time in three starts and surrendered three walks after issuing just one walk in his previous three outings. Eflin owns a 2-3 mark with a 5.25 ERA in seven career encounters with New York, with Amed Rosario (5-for-11) enjoying success in their matchups.
Wheeler, who will make his 100th career start on Tuesday, fell to 4-2 versus Philadelphia on Wednesday despite permitting three runs on five hits in seven innings of a 3-2 setback. The 28-year-old surrendered a pair of homers in that contest after allowing just one in his previous three starts combined. Wheeler has struggled mightily with his control, yielding 13 walks in his last three outings (17 2/3 innings).
WALK-OFFS
1. New York 2B Robinson Cano (hand) could return to the lineup as soon as Tuesday after he was hit by a pitch in Sunday's series finale versus St. Louis.
2. Philadelphia 1B Rhys Hoskins belted a solo homer in the series opener to boost his hit total to seven in his last four contests.
3. Mets RF Michael Conforto has answered a six-game hitting streak by going 1-for-11 in his last four outings.