NL East rivals will conclude a big four-game series on Sunday afternoon when the New York Mets visit the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Mets lead the series 2-1 so far after the teams split a Saturday doubleheader, with the Phillies winning the nightcap 4-1 as a +117 underdog. New York leads the division by three games at 78-44, while the Phillies hold a Wild Card spot at 66-54.
This has been a one-sided season series with the Mets holding a 13-5 advantage thus far.
The Mets have managed to remain steady despite being put under a lot of pressure by the Braves and Phillies in the NL East race, managing a split in Saturday's doubleheader in Philadelphia. It wasn't a pretty showing for the offense in the nightcap, as the only scoring for New York came in the top of the first when Francisco Lindor scored on a wild pitch.
David Peterson went 4.2 innings in a spot start, taking the loss allowing three runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out six. Jeff McNeil had a double to lead an offense that only had three hits all night.
The Mets are one of baseball's most profitable teams on the money line for the season while going 67-54 on the run line. Overs are 61-52-8 for the Mets, including 2-1 in this series thus far.
This is a stellar Mets offense at 4.76 runs per game to rank fourth-best in the Majors on a strong .737 team OPS. New York also has a top five pitching staff with a 3.56 ERA including a mark of 3.89 out of an up-and-down bullpen.
Alonso is New York's best hitter, posting an .881 OPS with 30 home runs and an MLB-best 102 RBI. Lindor has also piled up the numbers with 5.3 WAR on an .810 OPS, 21 homers, 13 stelas, 83 RBI and 74 runs scored.
Jose Butto is set to make his MLB debut on Sunday after spending most of the season in AA, going 6-5 with a 4.00 ERA and 108 strikeouts across 92.1 innings. The 24-year-old is considered a top 15 prospect in the Mets system ahead of his call up to the big leagues.
Catcher Tomas Nido (flu), infielder Eduardo Escobar (strained oblique) and utilityman Luis Guillorme (strained groin) recently hit the IL. The rotation is down Carlos Carrasco (strained oblique), Joey Lucchesi (Tommy John surgery) and Tylor Megill (strained shoulder). Relievers John Curtiss (Tommy John surgery), Sean Reid-Foley (Tommy John surgery), Drew Smith (strained lat) and Tommy Hunter (back tightness).