Phillies at Mets
The bullpen has been a sore subject for the New York Mets for the majority of the season, but no team has enjoyed facing it more of late than the Philadelphia Phillies. The visiting Phillies hope to get another extended shot at New York's beleaguered relief corps on Saturday as they look to extend their winning streak against their National League East rival to seven when the clubs meet for the middle contest of their three-game series.
Former Met Jay Bruce sparked Philadelphia's latest uprising against New York's relievers in Friday's 7-2 victory, delivering a tiebreaking single off Edwin Diaz as part of a five-run ninth inning to give the Phillies an 8-3 lead in the season series. Philadelphia has worn out New York's bullpen during its recent domination in this year's set, compiling 27 runs on 35 hits and 11 walks over 17 2/3 innings to move within two games of matching its longest winning streak in the all-time series since recording a nine-game run that bridged 2007 and 2008. The Mets wasted solid performances from All-Stars Jacob deGrom (10 strikeouts over seven innings) and Pete Alonso (2-for-4, homer, two RBIs), who extended his own NL rookie record with his 29th home run before the Midsummer Classic. The Mets have lost nine of their last 11 contests and tied a season low by dropping 10 games under .500 (39-49) following their loss in the series opener.
TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, FOX
PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Jake Arrieta (8-6, 4.43 ERA) vs. Mets RH Noah Syndergaard (5-4, 4.56)
Arrieta posted a 5.65 ERA over five starts in June but managed to finish the month with a 3-1 record after allowing four runs and eight hits while registering six strikeouts over as many innings Sunday in Miami. The former NL Cy Young Award winner also won his previous outing despite a lackluster effort in which he gave up five runs on nine hits and two walks over six frames against the Mets at home. Jeff McNeil (10-for-17, one homer) has tormented Arrieta, who is 4-4 with a 2.85 ERA in 13 career starts against New York.
Syndergaard returned from a two-week stint on the injured list with a no-decision against Atlanta on Sunday, when he permitted three runs on seven hits and three walks while fanning five over 5 2/3 innings. The 26-year-old still enjoyed his finest month of the season, finishing June with a 2-0 record and 3.55 ERA while holding the opposition to a .204 batting average. Rhys Hoskins (4-for-11, two homers) and Cesar Hernandez (10-for-25) both have fared well against Syndergaard, who gave up five runs over five frames in a no-decision at Philadelphia on April 15.
WALK-OFFS
1. Since reaching a season-high 11 games over .500 on May 29, the Phillies are 5-0 versus the Mets and 8-20 against every other opponent.
2. McNeil went 1-for-4 on Friday and is batting .415 with 13 runs, eight doubles, four homers, 15 RBIs and three stolen bases over his last 16 contests.
3. Diaz owns a 22.13 ERA in five appearances versus Philadelphia this season and a 3.64 ERA in 31 games against every other team.