So much has changed since the last time the Philadelphia Phillies played the New York Mets.
The host Phillies look to grow their lead over the second-place Mets when the teams begin a four-game series Monday.
Philadelphia (83-60) sits seven games ahead of New York (76-67) in the National League East race, but that wasn’t the case just a couple of weeks ago. The Mets swept the visiting Phillies in a three-game set from Aug. 25 to 27, closing their gap in the division to four games.
However, the Phillies have since won seven of their last 10 games while the Mets have lost six of their last 10 contests. The result is a division race that could be all but settled if Philadelphia dominates this series.
The Phillies are coming off a weekend where they took two of three in Miami. However, the team dropped a 5-4 decision to the Marlins on Sunday and also lost shortstop Trea Turner to a hamstring strain.
“It’s never a good time (for this injury), really,” said Turner, who will see a doctor Monday, “… but something like this late is not fun. And when these games really matter, you need to be out there. (That’s the) more frustrating part with that more than anything — is coming down the stretch, playing in big games and not being able to be out there. So, hopefully, it’s not too many (games that are missed).”
Meanwhile, the Mets lost two of three against the Reds over the weekend in Cincinnati. They fell 3-2 on Sunday despite a solid six-inning major league debut from right-hander Brandon Sproat. New York managed only three hits in the contest.
“I believe we’re in a good spot, but we’ve got to continue to win games,” Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor said. “If we want to accomplish what we started the year with in mind, we’ve got to start winning games.”
New York hopes to begin this series on the right foot behind talented rookie Nolan McLean (4-0, 1.37 ERA). The 24-year-old right-hander has won all four of his major league starts, most recently a 12-5 triumph over the Tigers in Detroit on Tuesday, when he gave up two runs in six innings.
“Another impressive outing for him,” manager Carlos Mendoza said, adding, “That’s what you call pitching!”
One of the Mets’ victories over the Phillies at Citi Field last month was a 6-0 win in which McLean threw eight scoreless innings.
Aaron Nola (3-8, 6.78) didn’t start any games in that series, although his career numbers against the Mets are a modest 10-10 record with a 3.54 ERA in 29 appearances (all starts). He gave up four runs in 6 1/3 innings at Citi Field when the Phillies visited on April 21 and lost 5-4.
In his most recent outing, Nola allowed five runs before even recording an out against the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday. He surrendered six runs in total that day, fighting his way through five innings in a game Philadelphia eventually lost 6-3.
“I’ve just got to stay healthy and keep on working,” Nola said. ” … I’ve got to limit the big innings, no question about it. I’ve got to stop giving up so many runs, and (start) being on the attack mode and making better pitches.”
–Field Level Media
