The New York Mets (34-40) are on the road to face the Philadelphia Phillies (38-36) at Citizens Bank Park on Friday for the first of a three-game series.
The Mets are in the midst of a six-game road trip. They won only one out of three in their last series against the Astros, dropping the finale 10-8 on Wednesday at Minute Maid Park.
Francisco Lindor was 1 for 1 with a double, two runs, and one RBI, walking three times. Daniel Vogelbach went 3 for 5 with a double, one run, and three RBIs.
The Phillies were just swept in two games against the Braves, dropping the finale 5-1 on Thursday at Citizens Bank Park. Alec Bohm went 1 for 3 with one RBI.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Mets have won all three games this season between the NL East rivals, including a 4-2 victory in their most recent meeting on June 1 at Citi Field.
Starter Max Scherzer got the win, allowing two runs (1 ER) on five hits over seven innings and striking out nine, and Drew Smith threw 0.1 scoreless innings to earn his second save.
ON THE MOUND
Kodai Senga (6-4, 3.53 ERA) is set to get the start for New York. The righty allowed four runs over 6.2 innings in his last start, a 5-3 road defeat against the Cardinals on Saturday. He took the loss, scattering five hits while striking out eight and walking one.
Senga has made one previous start against the Phillies this season, a 2-0 home victory on May 30. He allowed one hit over seven scoreless innings, striking out nine. Right-hander Taijuan Walker (7-3, 4.31 ERA) will toe the rubber for Philadelphia.
He has made one prior start against the Mets this season, giving up three runs over four innings in a 4-2 road defeat on June 1. He gave up two hits and walked three while striking out two in the loss.
In his last start on June 16, Walker got the win on the road against the Athletics. He threw eight innings and gave up one run on seven hits, striking out eight, in the 6-1 triumph.
AT THE PLATE
The New York offense is averaging 4.6 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .241/.321/.398. Pete Alonso leads the team in OPS at .854. The first baseman is slashing .224/.319/.535 with 23 home runs, 51 RBIs, and 43 runs over 66 games.
Over the last five games, though, New York has averaged 6.2 runs a game while slashing better across the board (.254/.337/.450). Against right-handed pitchers like Walker this season, the Mets have a .721 OPS. Alonso also is the team’s best performer against right-handers with a .864 OPS in 172 at-bats.
Philadelphia is slashing .259/.322/.419 for the season and averaging 4.4 runs per game. Nick Castellanos leads the team with a .851 OPS. The right fielder has eight home runs, 43 RBIs, and 44 runs scored with a slash line of .315/.360/.491.
Philadelphia is averaging only 3.0 runs per game in the last five with their slash line slipping across the board (.212/.254/.302). The Phils have a .752 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .834 OPS over 198 at-bats, Castellanos also has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
New York is 17-25 in away games in 2023, scoring 4.8 runs per game while allowing 5.1 runs. Philadelphia has gone 19-13 in front of their home fans this season, averaging 4.3 runs per game while surrendering 3.9. New York is 7-3 in the last 10 games at Citizens Bank Park between the teams with an average scoreline of 5.7-3.9.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Mets are fourth in the NL East, 13 games behind the division-leading Braves. The Phillies are third in the NL East, nine games behind the Braves.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Philadelphia Phillies (-120)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
