7:00 pm
April 22

Phillies @ Mets

Who will WIN this matchup?

Philadelphia Phillies (12-9)

@ New York Mets (11-10)

 

Starting Pitchers:

Arrieta (PHI): 3-1; 2.25 ERA

Matz (NYM) 1-1; 4.96 ERA

 

Last 10 Games Played:

Philadelphia Phillies: 5-5

New York Mets: 4-6

 

Current odds:

Philadelphia Phillies: (+100)

New York Mets: (-110)

 

• Steven Matz endured a nightmare performance in his last trip to the mound, surrendering eight runs (six earned) without recording an out against eight batters in the first inning at Philadelphia. The 27-year-old left-hander looks to atone after his infinity ERA effort in that contest elevated his season total three-plus runs when the New York Mets begin a 10-game homestand with the first of three contests versus the Phillies on Monday. Although Matz said that the performance would not “define me or define the season,” New York’s starting pitching – which was considered a strength heading into 2019 – has recorded a gaudy 5.64 ERA through 21 games this season. “It’s high. It is high. That’s a fact,” Mets manager Mickey Callaway told reporters after Sunday’s 6-4 setback in St. Louis. “You can put any 15, 14, 12, 20 games together and it’s not going to look great. But once it’s all said and done, I really feel like we’re going to be.”

• While New York’s fast start has slowed to a crawl after losing six of eight, the Phillies have answered winning two of three over the Mets last week with three setbacks in their four-game series at Colorado. Offseason acquisition Bryce Harper, who has reached base safely in all 21 contests to start the season, had two hits and scored four times in the previous series against the Mets.

• Arrieta recorded his second straight win on Wednesday after allowing two runs on six hits in eight innings of a 3-2 victory over the Mets. “I feel good and I’ve been able to spin the ball well. The timing of my delivery now is really good,” said the 2015 National League Cy Young Award recipient, who has worked at least seven frames in three straight starts. Arrieta, who owns a 3-3 mark with a 2.33 ERA in 11 career starts versus New York, has handcuffed Amed Rosario (0-for-10) and Keon Broxton (0-for-9).

• Matz pitched well in the three outings prior to the shellacking in Philadelphia, surrendering five runs on 12 hits while striking out 19 over 16 1/3 innings. The southpaw will look to regain that form when he faces the Phillies, against whom he owns an 0-3 mark with a 5.96 ERA in six career starts. Matz has seen J.T. Realmuto (4-for-10) and Maikel Franco (3-for-6, homer) enjoy success against him, although he has flustered Rhys Hoskins (1-for-10).

• New York is expected to activate 3B Todd Frazier (oblique) from the injured list prior to Monday’s game.

• Realmuto, who had an RBI single on Sunday, is 6-for-14 with one homer, seven RBIs and four runs scored versus the Mets this season.

• Rosario has five errors this season, including two in the first inning of Matz’s last start.

4/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Philadelphia Phillies