The New York Mets (27-27) host the Philadelphia Phillies (25-28) at Citi Field on Tuesday for the first of a three-game series. The Phillies are in the midst of a 10-game road trip. They split their last series against the Braves, dropping the finale 11-4 on Sunday at Truist Park.
Brandon Marsh was 2 for 4 with a home run and two RBIs. Kyle Schwarber added a home run and two RBIs. The Mets are playing the first of six games at home after returning from a tough six-game road trip (2-4).
They lost two of three against the Rockies in their last series, dropping the finale 11-10 on Sunday at Coors Field. Tommy Pham went 3 for 4 with a triple and a double.
He scored two runs and drove in four. Starling Marte added a triple and two runs. The teams are meeting for the first time this season. The Mets dominated the 2022 season series between the NL East rivals (14-5), including three out of four in their most recent meeting at Citizens Bank Park in August.
ON THE MOUND
Ranger Suarez (0-1, 9.82 ERA) is slated to get the start for Philadelphia. The LHP allowed five runs over five innings in his last start, a 6-5 road win over the Diamondbacks on Wednesday. He scattered five hits while striking out five and walking one in the no-decision.
Over two starts against the Mets in 2022, Suarez was 0-0 with a 3.72 ERA over 9.2 innings. He had five strikeouts and three walks.For New York, right-hander Kodai Senga (4-3, 3.94 ERA) gets the start.
In his last start on Wednesday, Senga took the loss on the road against the Cubs. He threw five innings and gave up three runs on six hits, striking out six and walking five in the 4-2 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
The Philadelphia offense is averaging 4.3 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .257/.322/.417. Marsh leads the team in OPS at .857.
The right fielder is slashing .273/.377/.480 with five home runs, 22 RBIs, and 23 runs over 50 games. Against right-handed pitchers like Senga this season, the Phils have a .755 OPS.
Marsh also is the team’s most productive hitter against right-handers with a .862 OPS in 111 at-bats. New York is slashing .247/.327/.401 for the season and averaging 4.5 runs per game.
Pete Alonso leads the team with a .910 OPS. The first baseman has 20 home runs, 46 RBIs, and 38 runs scored with a slash line of .243/.341/.569.
New York is averaging 6.8 runs per game in the last five with a better slash line (.291/.355/.508). The Mets have a .730 OPS against lefties in 2023. With a .985 OPS over 61 at-bats, Alonso also has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Philadelphia is 11-18 away from Citizens Bank Park in 2023, scoring 4.0 runs per game while allowing 5.9 runs. New York has won five in a row at home.
The Mets are 12-9 at home this season, averaging 4.4 runs per game while surrendering 4.8. New York is 8-2 in the last 10 games at Citi Field between the teams with an average scoreline of 4.6-2.6.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Phillies are fourth in the NL East, seven games behind the division-leading Braves. The Mets are third in the NL East, five games behind the Braves.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
NY Mets (-135)
Want up to a $1K risk free bet for this pick?
Claim with 
today!
If you need more news, information and predictions, head over to our MLB hub page for all your baseball needs!
*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
