Phillies at Mets
The Philadelphia Phillies entertained reasons for optimism after they ended last weekend with a victory against the New York Mets before extending their winning streak to three games with a pair of lopsided triumphs over Cincinnati. The tables quickly turned as they settled for a four-game split versus the Reds entering the opener of a three-game set against the Mets at Citi Field on Friday.
J.T. Realmuto tripled in the fourth, homered in the eighth and even threw out a runner at second base in Thursday's 4-3 loss in 11 innings, but Philadelphia's lone All-Star was left to answer if time is running out on the club. "It is and it isn't," the 28-year-old Realmuto said. "We still have plenty of time but we have to turn it around quickly. We're three or four games out with three weeks left in the season with some really important games against some really good teams." New York rebounded from a demoralizing ninth-inning meltdown to post an 8-4 win over Washington heading into a key homestand against playoff contenders Philadelphia and Arizona as well as the reigning National League champion Los Angeles Dodgers. "For us to get where we want to go, everybody has to perform from now on," Mets manager Mickey Callaway said. "It's just what you have to do. It seems like we have the talent to do that. We just have to go do it."
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, NBCS Philadelphia, SNY (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Zach Eflin (8-11, 4.33 ERA) vs. Mets LH Steven Matz (9-8. 4.04)
Eflin turned in his best start in nearly three months on Sunday after allowing one run on three hits in seven innings of a no-decision against the Mets. The 25-year-old split his previous two decisions this season versus New York, although he surrendered 10 runs on 18 hits in those contests. Todd Frazier, who is 4-for-11 against Eflin, had one of the Mets' three homers off the hurler in the Phillies' 13-7 win on June 24.
Matz improved to 4-2 with a 2.73 ERA in nine starts since returning to the rotation after permitting three runs in five innings of a 6-3 win over the Phillies on Saturday. The 28-year-old split his previous four decisions this season versus Philadelphia, although he has been gouged for 19 runs on 27 hits -- including seven homers -- in those contests. Cesar Hernandez (9-for-17), Jean Segura (5-for-10), Scott Kingery (6-for-14, two homers) and Bryce Harper (9-for-26) have all taken Matz to task in their respective careers.
WALK-OFFS
1. New York has won 12 of 16 series since the All-Star break.
2. Harper has eight homers, 20 RBIs and 17 runs scored during his last 17 games.
3. Mets rookie 1B Pete Alonso is 10-for-30 with three homers, four RBIs and seven runs scored in his last six games.