Game Preview: Phillies vs Mets

The Mets picked up a critical win on Wednesday – splitting the series with the Braves. The Phillies had a devastating, loss on Wednesday. The NL East has essentially collapsed with the Phillies backsliding, the Braves stalling in neutral and the Nationals surging. The Phillies go into this weekend and four games against the Mets desperate to get back on track. The Mets go into the weekend hoping to prove that they are healthy and push the Phillies deep into the cellar of the division.

Taijuan Walker will start the first game for the Mets. Over 13 starts and 74.1 innings this season, he has a 2.42 ERA, 3.01 FIP, 1.049 WHIP and a 160 ERA+. He’s coming off of a rough start against the Nationals where he allowed 4 runs from 10 hits and no walks in 6.1 innings in a game the Mets eventually lost 6-3. He’s faced the Phillies twice this year. The first time at home he allowed 1 run over 4.1 innings with 3 hits and 3 walks while striking out 8. His second time, in Philly, he allowed 4 runs from 7 hits and a walk in 6.0 innings. Walker has the following numbers against Philly:

Ronald Torreyes 3-3, 2 2B
Alec Bohm 4-6, 2B, HR, 2 BB
Rafael Marchan 0-1, BB, K
J.T. Realmuto 0-1, K
Andrew McCutchen 2-11, 2B, 5 K
Rhys Hoskins 1-5, 3 K
Bryce Harper 1-7, BB
Brad Miller 0-4, 2 BB, 2 K
Odubel Herrera 0-3

The Mets bats broke out on Wednesday and they’ll try to keep that going against Aaron Nola. Nola has pitched in 15 games and 85.1 innings this year with a 4.22 ERA, 3.64 FIP, 1.219 WHIP and a 94 ERA+. Nola is coming off of his worst start of the season against the Giants where he allowed 6 runs over 2.1 innings from 6 hits, 3 walks and 2 homers. He faced the Mets in back to back starts in April where he allowed 4 runs over 9.0 innings from 13 hits and 3 walks while striking out 12. The Mets have the following career numbers against Nola: