9/29/17 Game Preview: New York Mets at Philadelphia Phillies

The New York Mets (69-90) were off yesterday, but it wasn’t a dull day in Flushing at all. Numerous reports emerged bashing manager Terry Collins, who is likely to be let go after the conclusion of this disappointing season. Collins has emerged as a popular scapegoat for the Mets’ poor 2017 campaign, but rather than fire him the Mets have chosen to let him finish out the season. That could make things slightly more interesting for the Mets’ final series of the season, a weekend road trip to face off with the last place Philadelphia Phillies (64-95). First pitch for the opener of this three game set is scheduled for 7:05 pm at Citizen’s Bank Park.

The Mets will send right hander Matt Harvey (5-6, 6.60 ERA) to the mound tonight for his final start of the season. Harvey’s last appearance came out of the bullpen, when he allowed three runs in four innings after following Noah Syndergaard against the Washington Nationals last Saturday. The Mets ended up blowing the game late, bailing out Harvey from another loss. The Phillies will counter with rookie right hander Ben Lively (3-7, 4.35 ERA). Lively was hammered in his last start, giving up six runs in five innings to lose to the Atlanta Braves last Saturday.

Local Coverage:

Television: SNY

Radio: WOR

New York Mets Lineup:

1. RF Nori Aoki
2. 2B Jose Reyes
3. 3B Asdrubal Cabrera
4. C Travis d’Arnaud
5. LF Brandon Nimmo
6. SS Amed Rosario
7. 1B Dominic Smith
8. CF Juan Lagares
9. SP Matt Harvey

Pre-Game Notes:

• The Mets are 11-5 so far against the Phillies this season and won two out of three when the teams last met at Citi Field earlier this month.
• The Mets are 6-1 at Citizen’s Bank Park this season and have won five straight series in Philadelphia dating back to 2016.
• Harvey has faced the Phillies once this season, giving up two runs in 5.2 innings to defeat them back on April 11th.
• Lively is 1-1 with a 2.03 ERA in two starts against the Mets this season.
• After sitting out Wednesday’s game, Nori Aoki, Dominic Smith, and Amed Rosario are back in the Mets’ lineup. Aoki will play right field and bat leadoff, Smith will man first base and bat seventh, and Rosario will be back at shortstop and bat sixth.
• Major League Baseball announced today that the Mets and Phillies will take part in the second annual Little League Classic in Williamsport, Pennsylvania next summer. The contest, which is scheduled for August 19th, 2018, will count as a home game for the Phillies.