Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Posted: 2:06 p.m.
CSNPhilly.com
Records
Phillies: 3-1 (Tied for first in NL East)
Mets: 3-1 (Tied for first in NL East)
Starting pitchers
Phillies: Joe Blanton will make his 2011 debut, and is presented with his first chance to prove to the Phils brass that they made the right decision not to trade him in the offseason. The righthander had a strong spring showing, posting a 3.19 ERA with 19 strikeouts and just four walks. In four home starts against the Mets, hes 3-1 with a 1.27 ERA.
Mets: Lefty Mike Pelfrey struggled in his first outing of the season on opening day, getting lit up by the Florida Marlins for five runs in 4 13 innings. His 10.38 ERA isnt threatening on the surface, but Pelfrey did help the Mets beat the Phillies twice last season. He is 1-2 with an 8.17 ERA in his last five games in Philadelphia, however.
Previous game
The Mets dealt the Phillies their first loss of the season Tuesday, a 7-1 defeat in which Cole Hamels allowed six runs in a dismal third inning. The loss evened the Phillies' and Mets' records at 3-1, tying the two teams for first place in the NL East.
Mets starter Chris Young entered the game with a career 6.50 ERA but allowed just one run in five innings. He also had a career-high three hits, including two singles against Hamels in the third inning.
Storylines
The Mets are hotyes, really. Theyll take the field Wednesday night as owners of a three-game winning streak, and have knocked home 24 runs in their first four games this season.
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Blanton, the only Phils starter not to be deemed an ace, will attempt to help his team regain sole possession of first place in the NL East as well as carry over momentum from the spring into the regular season.
Ryan Howard will look to re-start his hot streak after going 0-for-4 Tuesday (including a ground-out when bases were loaded in the fifth inning). He had gone 7-for-13 with six RBIs and one home run in his first three games.
Injuries
Phillies: Chase Utley (knee), Brad Lidge (rotator cuff), Brian Bocock (wrist), Domonic Brown (wrist) and Brian Schlitter (flexor pronator) are all on the 15-day disabled list.
Mets: Jason Bay (strained intercostal, left ribcage) and Johan Santana (recovery from left shoulder surgery) are on the 15-day DL.
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