Matt Harvey (5-0, 2.41 ERA) takes the mound for the New York Mets (18-10) as they go up against Cole Hamels (1-3, 4.14 ERA) and the Philadelphia Phillies (10-19) in the first of a three-game series at Citizens Bank Park. The game starts at 7:05 p.m. ET on Friday, May. 8 and will air on SNY and CSN-PHI.
Hamels has a 4.09 ERA and an 8-14 record in his career against the Mets, and is up against a less-than-stellar New York offense that’s hitting just .236 on the year. Odubel Herrera (.286, 11 Rs, 9 RBIs, 5 SBs) played well again Wednesday, going 2 for 5 with one run. In his career against the Phillies, Harvey is 5-0 with a 1.60 ERA. He gets a struggling Philadelphia offense that’s batting just .227.
The odds are even for this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is presently unavailable. Against teams in the NL East, the Phillies have an SU record of 8-14.
Against divisional opponents, the Mets are 15-8 SU. During the last 10 games, they averaged 2.7 runs per game, below their 3.9 season average. The Mets average just 6.9 strikeouts per game, one of the lowest marks in the NL. The Mets are a problem for opposing batters, sporting a 2.90 ERA this season. They have a WHIP of 1.11 on the year, good for second in the league.
So far this season, the Mets are 3-0 against the Phillies. This game will feature Harvey (RHP) on the mound against the Phillies, who have a 7-17 record when they take on a right-handed starter.
Predictions: SU Winner – NYM
Notes
When leading after 7 innings, New York is 10-3, while Philadelphia is 8-9.
The Mets are coming into this game after allowing one walk during their last outing. The Phillies have a 1-5 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When they are outhit, the Phillies are 3-16. The Mets have a 7-9 record when opponents outhit them.
Both falling near the bottom of the league based on total home runs this season, Philadelphia ranks 29th with 15 homers and New York is 24th with 19.
Philadelphia and New York both rank in the top half of the league in hits. Philadelphia sits at 14th with 7.52 hits per game and New York ranks 13th with 7.61.
Ranking 30th, Philadelphia is at the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.612). New York ranks near the bottom at 25th with an OPS of .658.
The Mets are 9-6 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Phillies are 5-12 when they allow at least one homer.
