Mets at Phillies
The New York Mets appeared to be fading out of the race in the National League with a six-game losing streak but an impressive win on Friday injected some much-needed positive momentum into the team. The Mets will try to keep the good vibes flowing at the expense of another team trying to stay in the race when they visit the Philadelphia Phillies for the second of a three-game series on Saturday.
New York got a pair of three-run homers from Todd Frazier in Friday's 11-5 triumph and scored all 11 runs in the final three innings to bust out of an offensive funk that saw it total 17 runs during the six-game slide. "We've been that late-inning team all year," Mets manager Mickey Callaway told reporters after watching his team stay within five games of the Chicago Cubs for the second NL wild card. "We feel like we're going to beat up on teams once we get in their bullpen if we don't get to the starter, and that's usually been the case. That can definitely spearhead what we need to do." The Phillies traded off losses in wins in the last seven games and sit 1 1/2 games ahead of the Mets - 3 1/2 behind the Cubs. Philadelphia will try to fight back behind veteran left-hander Jason Vargas on Saturday while New York sends lefty Steven Matz to the mound.
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1, SNY (New York), NBCS Philadelphia
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets LH Steven Matz (8-8, 4.06 ERA) vs. Phillies LH Jason Vargas (6-6, 4.09)
Matz is thriving of late and allowed two or fewer runs in seven of his last eight starts, including each of the last four. The 28-year-old held Atlanta to one run on two hits in six innings on Sunday but ended up with the loss as the offense struggled. Matz was not as sharp in his last start at Philadelphia on June 24, when he was knocked around for seven runs on 10 hits - three homers - and three walks in 4 1/3 innings.
Vargas is still looking for his first win since joining the Phillies in a trade from the Mets at the deadline and was reached for four runs and seven hits in six innings without factoring in the decision against Pittsburgh on Monday. The California native allowed two runs in three of his five starts with Philadelphia but has yet to compete seven innings. Vargas won his last three starts and owned a 4.01 ERA in 19 games with New York.
WALK-OFFS
1. Mets 2B Robinson Cano (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment with short-season Class A Brooklyn on Saturday.
2. Phillies 1B Rhys Hoskins is 5-for-9 with three extra-base hits in the last two games.
3. New York C Wilson Ramos extended his hitting streak to 23 games on Friday.