Series Preview: at New York Mets

PHI: 57-34, 1st in NL East; NYM: 46-45, 3rd in NL East

When: July 15-17
Where: Citi Field (Queens, NY)

Probable Pitchers
Friday: Vance Worley (4-1, 2.20) vs RA Dickey (4-7, 3.61)
Saturday: Cole Hamels (11-4, 2.32) vs Jon Niese (8-7, 3.88)
Sunday: Kyle Kendrick (4-4, 3.58) vs. Mike Pelfrey (5-8, 4.55)

Broadcast Info
Friday, 7:10, CSN
Saturday, 4:10, FOX
Sunday, 1:10, PHL 17
All Games on 1210 AM

Player to Watch – Carlos Beltran: He may have lost a step in the field and on the bases but Beltran is putting together a strong enough season that is letting the Mets and other teams know he can still be a contributing asset. Beltran is hitting .285 with a team-high 13 home runs and 58 RBIs.

But this season, Beltran has struggled against the Phils, hitting .212 (7-for-33) with two doubles and four RBIs in eight games.

Series Overview: The Phillies lead the season series, 6-3, with the Phils winning each series, 2-1. The Mets trail the Phillies 11 games in the NL East

In the Phils first test after the All-Star Break, they take on the heated division rival New York Mets. But New York may not be as much of a laughing stock as the Phillies fan base makes them out to be. With one win over .500 – but 11 games back in the division – the Mets are playing much better baseball than expected of them heading into the season.

That could be due part to Jose Reyes, who is currently on the DL, and the resurgence of Beltran. But some of the young players are getting into the act. Daniel Murphy is hitting .305 with five homers and 36 RBIs and Ike Davis is hitting .302 with seven homers and 25 RBIs. Even catcher Josh Thole has been slightly improving, bringing his average up to a .258.

The Phils aren’t healthy either. Shane Victorino, who has been the Phils best hitter for almost the past month, is on the DL with a strained thumb. Placido Polanco has a bulging disc in his back, not a good sign either. But Ryan Howard, Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins have been playing much better as of late as the Phillies offense is starting to show signs of life.

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