Saturday, April 30, 2011
Posted: 9 a.m.
CSNPhilly.com
Phillies (17-8) vs. Mets (11-15), 1:10 p.m., FOX
Starting Pitchers
Phillies: Roy Halladay (3-1, 2.41)Following a rough start April 19 vs. Milwaukee, Halladay rebounded in a big way Sunday in San Diego. The reigning Cy Young winner allowed one run in 8 23 innings, striking out 14 in the 3-1 victory. In his time with the Phils, Halladay has won all five of his starts against the Mets, including one earlier this month.
Mets: Jonathon Niese (1-3, 5.10)The lefty had his worst start of the season against the Phillies on April 7, when he allowed six runs in four innings. He did strike out a season-high seven batters, but still dropped to 1-2 in four career starts against the Phils.
Previous games
The Phillies rolled to a 10-3 victory in Friday's series opener, thanks to six scoreless innings from Vance Worley and six RBIs (on a grand slam and a two-run homer) by Ryan Howard. Placido Polanco and Ben Francisco also drove in two runs apiece for the Phils, who are looking to push their modest winning streak to three games.
Head-to-head
The Phillies and Mets met earlier this season, with the Phils winning two of three matchups at Citizens Bank Park. Cliff Lee was roughed up in the opener, a 7-1 defeat, before the Phillies rolled up 21 runs combined to win the last two games. Counting Friday's game, the Phillies are now 3-1 against the Mets in 2011.
Whos hot?
After going 12-for-24 on the Phils' recent road trip, Polanco had two hits in five at-bats on Friday. Jimmy Rollins has two hits in each of his last three games. Howard has drive in 12 runs in his last seven games. Closer Ryan Madson has allowed just one run in 10 innings this season.
MLB
For the Mets, Ike Davis has a 11-game hitting streak, including his ninth-inning homer on Friday. Also, Daniel Murphy is 5-for-14 in the last four games.
Storylines
After struggling for a couple of weeks, the Phillies offense appears to have found its groove again. If nothing else, Howard has found his groove.Have the Mets figured out how to beat Halladay yet? There's no reason to think so. ... At what point do the Phillies pull the plug on David Herndon? The reliever struggled again on Friday, allowing three runs in the ninth.
Sound off
Do you think the Phillies offense is officially back after Fridays big win?
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