The New York Mets (34-41) are on the road to face the Philadelphia Phillies (39-36) at Citizens Bank Park on Saturday. The Phillies took Friday’s series opener 5-1, their first head-to-head victory in four games this season.
Taijuan Walker got the win, giving up one run on three hits over six innings. Brandon Marsh went 3 for 4 with a double, one run, and one RBI in the win. Brandon Nimmo was 1 for 4 with a solo home run for the Mets.
ON THE MOUND
Max Scherzer (6-2, 4.04 ERA) is slated to take the mound for New York. The right-hander allowed one run over eight innings in his last start, an 11-1 road win over the Astros on Monday.
He earned the win, giving up four hits while striking out eight and walking one. Scherzer has made one previous start against the Phillies this season, a 4-2 home victory on June 1.
He surrendered two runs on five hits over seven innings, striking out nine and walking one. Southpaw Cristopher Sanchez (0-0, 3.24 ERA) will take the mound for Philadelphia.
It’s his first appearance of the season against the Mets. Sanchez made three appearances against the Mets in 2022, including one start, striking out seven and walking three over 6.2 innings (0-1, 5.40).
In his last start on June 17, Sanchez took a no-decision on the road against the Athletics. He threw four scoreless innings and gave up one hit, striking out five and walking one in the 3-2 win.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, New York has averaged 5.8 runs a game, up from their season average of 4.5, thanks in part to greater slugging (.400 vs .396). Against southpaws like Sanchez this season, the Mets have a .710 OPS.
Francisco Lindor is the team’s strongest performer against left-handers with a .898 OPS in 82 at-bats. Philadelphia is averaging only 2.8 runs per game in the last five, down from 4.4 for the season, with their slash line slipping across the board (.222/.279/.267). The Phils have a .744 OPS against righties in 2023. With a .848 OPS over 157 at-bats, Marsh has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
New York is on a three-game losing streak in road games, bringing their record to 17-26 in 2023. The Mets have scored 4.7 runs per game away from home while allowing 5.1 runs.
Philadelphia has gone 20-13 at Citizens Bank Park this season, averaging 4.3 runs per game while surrendering 3.8. New York is 7-3 in the last 10 games between the NL East rivals at Citizens Bank Park with an average scoreline of 5.4-3.9.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Mets are fourth in the NL East, 14 games behind the division-leading Braves. The Phillies are third in the NL East, nine games behind the Braves.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
NY Mets (-130)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
