NL East rivals will begin a huge four-game series on Friday night at Citizens Bank Park with the New York Mets visiting the Philadelphia Phillies. New York is atop the division at 76-43, but dropped three of four to the Atlanta Braves including a 3-2 loss on Thursday as a -128 favorite. Philadelphia took two of three from the Cincinnati Reds, missing out on a chance at the sweep with a 1-0 defeat on Wednesday as a -156 favorite, and holds a Wild Cart spot at 65-52.
New York is comfortably in control of the season series with an 11-4 advantage.
The Mets certainly can't relax in the NL East race just yet, as Atlanta made a statement by taking three of four from New York to start the week. Mark Canha launched a game-tying two-run homer in the fifth inning of Thursday's finale, yet that was it for an offense that went just 1-7 with runners in scoring position.
Ace Jacob deGrom took a rare loss, allowing three runs on five hits and no walks in 5.2 innings, racking up nine strikeouts. Canha had the only multi-hit game for the Mets as he added a double.
“Definitely disappointing,” deGrom said to the Associated Press. “Wanted to come in here and win all four games. Once they won a couple, the goal was for the split. And we weren’t able to get it.”
The Mets are one of the most profitable teams in baseball on the money line while going 65-54 on the run line. Ov ers are 59-52-8 for the Mets, with six of their last eight games going under the betting total.
This is the fourth-highest scoring offense in baseball at 4.76 runs per game on a strong .738 team OPS. New York pitching also is a top five unit with a 3.57 combined ERA including a mark of 3.73 out of a solid bullpen.
Pete Alonso is having a prolific power season, posting an .880 OPS with 29 homers and 99 driven in. Francisco Lindor is having a huge season with 5.2 WAR, posting an .808 OPS with 21 homers, 12 steals, 83 RBI and 76 runs scored.
Chris Bassitt will make his 23rd start, hoping to continue a strong run of form after he went five scoreless innings against these Phillies last Sunday, allowing four hits and two walks while striking out five. The 33-year-old has proven to be a strong offseason acquisition for the Mets, going 10-7 with a 3.27 ERA over 134 total innings.
Infielders Eduardo E scobar (strained oblique) and Luis Guillorme (strained groin) just hit the IL, along with catcher Tomas Nido (flu). The rotation is down Carlos Carrasco (strained oblique), Joey Lucchesi (Tommy John surgery) and Tylor Megill (strained shoulder). Relievers Sean Reid-Foley (Tommy John surgery), John Curtiss (Tommy John surgery), Tommy Hunter (back spasms) and Drew Smith (strained lat).