by Big Al Staff
Sunday, May 02, 2021The New York Mets play in Philadelphia against the Phillies to conclude their three-game series tonight for ESPN Sunday Night Baseball at 7 PM ET. The Mets ended a three-game losing streak last night with a dramatic 5-4 victory. Michael Conforto broke a 4-4 tie in the top of the ninth inning with a game-winning home run. He also clubbed a two-run double as part of a four-run first inning.
The victory was just New York’s fourth win in their last 12 games. The Mets are in third place in the National League East with a 10-11 record, three games behind the Phillies.
Expectations are high for the franchise to break a four-year playoff drought. Former general manager Sandy Alderson was brought back as the new team president, and he added brought in 18 new players to the roster. The highest-profile acquisition was shortstop Francisco Lindor who came over to Gotham in a blockbuster trade with Cleveland. He was then inked to a ten-year, $341 million contract extension at the beginning of April.
Lindor has not rewarded management with production on the field. He is slumping with a .182 batting average, and he has only one home run with three runs batted in. First baseman Pete Alonso leads the team with five homers and 18 RBIs. New York is scoring 3.0 runs-per-game, with a .232 batting average, an on-base percentage of .303, and an OPS of .655. They are last in the majors with only three stolen bases.
David Peterson gets the start for manager Luis Rojas. The right-hander comes off a quality start in which he allowed two runs in six innings at home against Boston on Tuesday. He is 1-3 with a 5.59 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP in four starts. The Mets’ bullpen has a 3.45 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP in 60 innings.
Philadelphia remains in first place in the NL East with a 13-14 record. The organization hopes for their first winning season since 2011 and to break a nine-year postseason drought.
First-baseman Rhys Hoskins leads the team with eight home runs and 14 RBIs. Outfielder Bryce Harper adds six homers and 10 RBIs along with a .321 batting average. The Phillies are scoring 3.7 runs-per-game, with a .231 batting average, .298 on-base percentage, and an OPS of .667. The team returned the starting lineup from last year that helped them finish tied for fifth in MLB in runs scored.
Manager Joe Girardi turns to Zach Eflin tonight. The right-hander was tagged for five runs in 6 2/3 innings of work in his last start at St. Louis on Tuesday. The 26-year-old has a 1-1 record with a 3.58 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP in five starts. The Philadelphia bullpen has a 4.29 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP.
Brandon Nimmo and J.D. Davis left yesterday’s game with injuries. They are questionable to take the field tonight for the Mets. Catcher J.T. Realmuto and Harper are questionable for the Phillies with nagging injuries.
BookMaker lists Philadelphia as a -115 money line favorite with the total set at 9.
Computer prediction: Philadelphia Phillies 6 New York Mets 4
The victory was just New York’s fourth win in their last 12 games. The Mets are in third place in the National League East with a 10-11 record, three games behind the Phillies.
Expectations are high for the franchise to break a four-year playoff drought. Former general manager Sandy Alderson was brought back as the new team president, and he added brought in 18 new players to the roster. The highest-profile acquisition was shortstop Francisco Lindor who came over to Gotham in a blockbuster trade with Cleveland. He was then inked to a ten-year, $341 million contract extension at the beginning of April.
Lindor has not rewarded management with production on the field. He is slumping with a .182 batting average, and he has only one home run with three runs batted in. First baseman Pete Alonso leads the team with five homers and 18 RBIs. New York is scoring 3.0 runs-per-game, with a .232 batting average, an on-base percentage of .303, and an OPS of .655. They are last in the majors with only three stolen bases.
David Peterson gets the start for manager Luis Rojas. The right-hander comes off a quality start in which he allowed two runs in six innings at home against Boston on Tuesday. He is 1-3 with a 5.59 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP in four starts. The Mets’ bullpen has a 3.45 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP in 60 innings.
Philadelphia remains in first place in the NL East with a 13-14 record. The organization hopes for their first winning season since 2011 and to break a nine-year postseason drought.
First-baseman Rhys Hoskins leads the team with eight home runs and 14 RBIs. Outfielder Bryce Harper adds six homers and 10 RBIs along with a .321 batting average. The Phillies are scoring 3.7 runs-per-game, with a .231 batting average, .298 on-base percentage, and an OPS of .667. The team returned the starting lineup from last year that helped them finish tied for fifth in MLB in runs scored.
Manager Joe Girardi turns to Zach Eflin tonight. The right-hander was tagged for five runs in 6 2/3 innings of work in his last start at St. Louis on Tuesday. The 26-year-old has a 1-1 record with a 3.58 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP in five starts. The Philadelphia bullpen has a 4.29 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP.
Brandon Nimmo and J.D. Davis left yesterday’s game with injuries. They are questionable to take the field tonight for the Mets. Catcher J.T. Realmuto and Harper are questionable for the Phillies with nagging injuries.
BookMaker lists Philadelphia as a -115 money line favorite with the total set at 9.
Computer prediction: Philadelphia Phillies 6 New York Mets 4
