Citizens Bank Park will host a show down for first place in the N.L. East as the New York Mets (73-59) will play the Philadelphia Phillies (72-59) in a two game set. The Phillies come into the series only a half game out of first place after sweeping the Dodgers in a 4 game series in Philadelphia for the first time since 1929. The Mets lost 3 out of 4 games to the Houston Astros.
Pitching Match Ups:
8/26 vs. NYM Pedro Martinez, RHP (4-3, 4.97) vs. Jamie Moyer, LHP (11-7, 3.54) 7:05pm
8/27 vs. NYM Johan Santana, LHP (12-7, 2.64) vs. Kyle Kendrick, RHP (11-7, 4.87) 7:05pm
Other Quick Hits
- Pat Burrell has 41 career homeruns against the Mets.
- The Phillies are 422-371-1 all time against the Mets.
- The Mets are 23-20 at Citizens Bank Park.
- The Phillies have won 7 of their last 12 games against the Mets at Citizens Bank Park.
- The Phillies are 11-7 in their last 18 games against the Mets.
Pitchers Scouting Report
8/26
Mets: By the time Martinez handed the ball to manager Jerry Manuel with one on and no outs in the eighth inning Thursday, his veteran trickery had worn out against the Braves, who tacked on four runs in seven innings. Manuel doesn't foresee Martinez, whose fastball is consistently working in the mid-80s mph, to last more than a couple of rotations through an opponent's lineup. But Martinez seemingly surpassed those expectations, striking out six, taking the mound to start the eighth, and surpassing 100 pitches. In his last outing in Philadelphia, Martinez allowed two earned runs in 5 1/3 innings and won.
Phillies: The 22-year veteran Jamie Moyer ran his streak of allowing three runs or fewer to 14 with a fine effort against Washington in his last start. In that game, he surrendered one earned run in 6 2/3 innings, but he received a no-decision. In 18 career starts against the Mets this season, the lefty is 7-4 with a 2.85 ERA. He has faced them four times this season, giving up three, two, two and one run in those outings.
8/27
Mets: Santana delivered another impressive performance on Friday night, posting seven shutout innings against the Astros. It marked the second straight game that Santana held opponents scoreless, bringing his streak to 16 innings. His pitch count built up to a career-high 121, but he has thrown six innings or more in his last seven starts, including two complete games. He bounced back after early struggles led to 62 pitches through the first three innings. Santana scattered eight hits, striking out five with one walk. He has not recorded a loss since June 28, and he has limited opponents to three runs or fewer in nine of his last ten games.
Phillies: Kendrick is still fighting the ups and downs that come with a hurler's first full season in the Major Leagues, but showed significant progress Friday against the Dodgers. The 23-year-old went 5 2/3 innings, allowing three hits and walking two to earn the victory. The win came on the heels of a six-start stretch in which Kendrick recorded a 6.90 ERA to raise his season mark to 5.01. He is now in a three-way tie with Jamie Moyer and Cole Hamels for the team lead in wins. In three career starts against the Mets, Kendrick is 1-1 with a 2.40 ERA.
Coming Up:
The Phillies head to Chicago to take on the N.L. Central leading Cubs.
For full coverage of the Phillies and Mets, check out Phightin' Phils Phorum, Mr Mets Daily, and The Turnpike Series.
