May 11, 2018; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Odubel Herrera (37) watches his solo home run during the first inning against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Editorial by: Graydon Fox

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Overview:

On Sunday, August 19th, the (50-66) New York Mets will be on the road to take on the (65-52) Philadelphia Phillies.

The Crowd:

“The Crowd” is projecting a final score of Phillies 5.1 – Mets 2.8 with an over/under of 8.8.

Starting Pitchers:

NYM: Jason Vargas (2-8, 8.75) vs PHI: Nick Pivetta (7-9, 4.51)

Batting Stats:

Runs per game: Phillies 4.32 (20^th) > Mets 3.97 (25^th)

Batting Average: Phillies .235 (29^th) > Mets .230 (30^th)

On Base Percentage: Phillies .317 (18^th) > Mets .310 (24^th)

Total Bases: Phillies 1543 (25^th) > Mets 1477 (30^th)

Baserunning Stats:

Stolen Bases: Mets 47 (22^nd) > Phillies 41 (26^th)

Pitching Stats:

Team Earned Run Average: Phillies 3.74 (6^th) > Mets 4.32 (19^th)

Walks/Hits Per Innings Pitched: Phillies 1.24 (10^th) > Mets 1.32 (19^th)

Strikeouts: Phillies 1052 (7^th) > Mets 1016 (15^th)

Fielding Stats:

Errors: Mets 65 (14^th) > Phillies 85 (27^th)

Summary:

The Mets enter the game ranking 25^th in runs per game (3.97) and 19^th in team earned run average (4.32).  New York is (6-4) in their last ten games and (26-29) on the road this season.  The Mets offense has been abysmal this season and slugger Yoenis Cespedes will miss the rest of the campaign with injury.  The Mets recently traded their most productive hitter Asdrubal Cabrera (.277, 18 HR, 58 RBI) to the Phillies.  The Mets have struggled to win games when aces Noah Syndergaard and Jacob DeGrom aren’t pitching.  Compounding their offensive struggles is a bullpen that ranks 26^th in team ERA (4.79).  The Mets will be up against Phillies righty Nick Pivetta (7-9, 4.51) who they have a combined .242 average against in 33 at-bats.  Pivetta is (4-5, 4.14) at home this season and is (1-0, 1.50) in his last two starts.

The Phillies rank 20^th in runs per game (4.32) and 6^th in team ERA (3.74).  Philadelphia is (6-4) in their last ten games and (38-18) at home this season.  The Phillies’ offense has struggled at times but they have been carried by an excellent pitching staff.  Odubel Herrera (.269, 19 HR, 61 RBI) and Maikel Franco (.279, 19 HR, 58 RBI) have been consistent offensive performers while Rhys Hoskins (.253, 22 HR, 72 RBI) has been the team’s best run producer.  Hard throwing Seranthony Dominguez has been amazing in the closer’s role sporting a ridiculous (0.87) WHIP.  The Phillies will face off against Mets lefty Jason Vargas (2-8, 8.75) who is in the midst of a dreadful season.  Vargas is (1-4, 10.21) on the road this season and (0-2, 11.81) in his last two starts.

Bottom Line:

The Mets are (5-3) against the Phillies this season outscoring them 22-20.  Jason Vargas has pitched extremely poor as of late so I’m anticipating the Phillies ambushing him for a ton of runs early.  The Phillies have been dynamite at home in 2018 and I expect them to win this one against a struggling Mets team.

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