After an unscheduled day off yesterday due to severe thunderstorms that moved through the Northeast, the Phillies and Mets get back at it tonight at Citi Field. The Phillies are coming off of an eight inning gem from Cliff Lee on Monday night that moved them to within 3.5 games of the Cardinals at the time (the Cardinals won last night so the Phillies now sit four games back with 14 games to play). Tonight Cole Hamels, arguably the best Phillies pitcher this season, faces off against Mets rookie righthander Matt Harvey in a game the Phillies desperately need if they hope to stay in the Wild Card hunt.
Cole Hamels (15-6, 3.02 ERA, 1.12 WHIP) has not lost since August 2nd. In his last start against Houston on Friday, Hamels allowed four runs (three earned) on seven hits over seven innings while striking out eight for his 15th win of the year. His 15 wins tie his career high set in 2007. He has had quality starts in 21 of his 28 starts and in each of his last eight starts. Tonight’s game will mark the 17th night start for Hamels this year. In his 16 previous night starts, Hamels is 10-2 with a 2.88 ERA. Unfortunately, Citi Field has not been good to Hamels historically as he is just 2-4 with a 4.53 ERA in nine career starts.
Matt Harvey (3-5, 2.92 ERA, 1.22 WHIP) has gone only five innings in each of his last two starts earning the loss in both games. Last Wednesday against the Nationals, Harvey allowed one run on five hits while striking out 10 and walking three. Harvey has faced the Phillies once in his Major League career going 6.1 innings allowing two runs on six hits with six strikeouts to get the win over Tyler Cloyd (in Cloyd’s Major League debut) on August 29th. In his first nine career starts, Harvey has registered two double-digit strikeout outings. He has a propensity to allow walks as he has 23 walks in 52.1 innings of work.
With the Cardinals win over Houston last night, it is imperative that the Phillies take the next two games from the Mets in order close the gap between themselves and the final playoff spot. The Phillies have used a second half surge (37-24) and have posted the fifth best winning percentage over that time to get back in the hunt. Jimmy Rollins, who went deep on Monday, continues to swing a hot bat for the Phillies. Rollins is hitting .333 with six homeruns and 11 RBI in the month of September.
The Mets are sending one of their young bright spots to the mound tonight in Matt Harvey. Again, the Mets scored three runs or fewer on Monday night which set a franchise record for the club as they have scored three runs or fewer in 14 straight home games. They have dropped seven straight home games and 23 out of their last 27 games at Citi Field.
Starting Lineup:
First pitch is slated for 7:10 pm at Citi Field
-Steve Dolan
Follow Steve on Twitter @SDolan3
Follow Whiz Wit on Twitter @WhizWitSports
Cole Hamels (15-6, 3.02 ERA, 1.12 WHIP) has not lost since August 2nd. In his last start against Houston on Friday, Hamels allowed four runs (three earned) on seven hits over seven innings while striking out eight for his 15th win of the year. His 15 wins tie his career high set in 2007. He has had quality starts in 21 of his 28 starts and in each of his last eight starts. Tonight’s game will mark the 17th night start for Hamels this year. In his 16 previous night starts, Hamels is 10-2 with a 2.88 ERA. Unfortunately, Citi Field has not been good to Hamels historically as he is just 2-4 with a 4.53 ERA in nine career starts.
Matt Harvey (3-5, 2.92 ERA, 1.22 WHIP) has gone only five innings in each of his last two starts earning the loss in both games. Last Wednesday against the Nationals, Harvey allowed one run on five hits while striking out 10 and walking three. Harvey has faced the Phillies once in his Major League career going 6.1 innings allowing two runs on six hits with six strikeouts to get the win over Tyler Cloyd (in Cloyd’s Major League debut) on August 29th. In his first nine career starts, Harvey has registered two double-digit strikeout outings. He has a propensity to allow walks as he has 23 walks in 52.1 innings of work.
With the Cardinals win over Houston last night, it is imperative that the Phillies take the next two games from the Mets in order close the gap between themselves and the final playoff spot. The Phillies have used a second half surge (37-24) and have posted the fifth best winning percentage over that time to get back in the hunt. Jimmy Rollins, who went deep on Monday, continues to swing a hot bat for the Phillies. Rollins is hitting .333 with six homeruns and 11 RBI in the month of September.
The Mets are sending one of their young bright spots to the mound tonight in Matt Harvey. Again, the Mets scored three runs or fewer on Monday night which set a franchise record for the club as they have scored three runs or fewer in 14 straight home games. They have dropped seven straight home games and 23 out of their last 27 games at Citi Field.
Starting Lineup:
- Rollins SS
- Pierre LF
- Utley 2B
- Howard 1B
- Ruiz C
- Brown RF
- Mayberry CF
- Frandsen 3B
- Hamels P
First pitch is slated for 7:10 pm at Citi Field
-Steve Dolan
Follow Steve on Twitter @SDolan3
Follow Whiz Wit on Twitter @WhizWitSports
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