The Philadelphia Phillies’ recent domination of the New York Mets was tested on Saturday, but they can knock off their National League East rival for the 11th time in the last 13 meetings if they can take the rubber game at home on Sunday. Philadelphia held a six-run lead through six innings Saturday, but the majors’ worst bullpen (4.67 ERA) caved and allowed the Mets to tie it in the ninth. However, pinch hitter Kevin Frandsen won it in the bottom half with a walk-off solo homer.
New York was also unable to stop the hot bat of Ryan Howard, who is batting 24-for-67 in June after his three-hit, two-homer effort in the 8-7 victory. Howard and his teammates will be hard-pressed to match that offensive output in the series finale against Matt Harvey. The right-hander has held the Phillies to a 0.84 WHIP and .152 batting average in three career starts, going 2-0 with a 1.77 ERA in the process.
TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, SNY (New York) WB17 (Philadelphia)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Matt Harvey (6-1, 2.16 ERA) vs. Phillies LH John Lannan (0-1, 5.49)
Harvey took a no-hitter into the seventh for the third time this season in Tuesday’s 4-3 road victory against the Atlanta Braves, but could not record an out in the eighth. The 24-year-old Connecticut native was charged with three runs on three hits and three walks, striking out a career-high 13 over seven frames. Harvey had his way with the Phillies in an April 8 win at Philadelphia, allowing one run and fanning nine over seven innings in a 7-2 triumph.
Lannan, who had been sidelined with a left knee injury, took the mound for the first time in exactly two months in Monday’s 5-4 victory over the Washington Nationals. The left-hander did not factor into the decision against his former team after yielding two runs and six hits over five innings. Lannan is winless over his last five outings dating to last season, but is 5-4 with a 3.46 ERA in 12 career starts against the Mets, including two complete games.
WALK-OFFS
1. After entering the week having converted all 13 of his save chances, Philadelphia closer Jonathan Papelbon has blown three of his last four opportunities.
2. Mets 3B David Wright is batting 26-for-69 over the last 16 games.
3. If Phillies SS Jimmy Rollins and 2B Chase Utley both start on Sunday, it will be their 1,000th game together as a double-play combination – the second-highest active mark in the majors.
PREDICTION: Mets 4, Phillies 2