The Mets' fortunes were already looking better than expected, and now they have David Wright's hot bat back in the lineup as they go for their second three-game sweep of a National League East rival this season. After missing three games with a fractured right pinky, Wright returned to the lineup with three hits, including a home run, to help the Mets to their second straight win over the Phillies on Saturday, giving New York something Philadelphia hasn't had much of so far - some pop in the middle of the lineup.
The Phillies have floundered at the plate, scoring four runs or fewer in seven of their eight games and two runs or fewer five times. They managed only six singles in a 5-0 loss Saturday. New York is a half-game behind NL East leader Washington, which took two of three from the Mets earlier in the week.
TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), PHL 17 (Philadelphia)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Mike Pelfrey (0-0, 4.76 ERA) vs. Phillies LH Cole Hamels (0-1, 5.06 ERA)
Pelfrey put up an odd stat line in his first start, allowing a whopping 10 hits over 5 2/3 innings but limiting the damage to three runs and piling up a career-high eight strikeouts in a no-decision against Washington. He is 7-7 with a 5.37 ERA against the Phillies, who roughed him up for 25 runs in 28 innings last season, and 2-3 with an 8.60 ERA in eight starts at Citizens Bank Park.
Hamels wasn't at his sharpest in his first start. He allowed four runs (three earned) over 5 1/3 innings and took the loss in Monday's 6-2 loss to the Marlins, though he did manage nine strikeouts. Hamels has not fared well against the Mets - he is 3-10 with a 4.46 ERA in 17 starts against them.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Mets have hit four home runs in the first two games of the series. The Phillies have hit only five all season.
2. Lucas Duda's two-run home run Saturday snapped an 0-for-15 slump. Duda is 5-for-19 with three homers when Wright is in the lineup this season and 0-for-10 when he is not.
3. Look for Wright to continue his hot hitting. He is 12-for-39 (.308) with two home runs and six RBIs against Hamels.