Kendrick, Pelfrey Finish Out Series

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Philadelphia Phillies (65-51) at New York Mets (58-58)
Kyle Kendrick (7-5, 4.60 ERA) vs. Mike Pelfrey (11-6, 3.95 ERA)

Tonight, the Phillies and Mets wrap up a three-game series that is currently split at a game apiece. On Friday, Cole Hamels fell on the short end as R.A Dickey one-hit the Phillies. Roy Halladay was the stopper in last night's victory, shutting out the Mets in eight frames.

Kyle Kendrick has been all or nothing in most of his starts this year. He has either dominated, or been lit up. In six starts against New York, Kendrick has fared well posting an ERA of 3.34. It is never really certain on what Kendrick will do.

Kendrick will be opposed by Mike Pelfrey, who has had a solid year with the Mets. Against the Phillies, he has been very up and down. Sometimes the Phillies can pound him; other times he pounds the Phillies.

If the Mets end up getting into a save situation, Francisco Rodriguez would likely be asked to close. Today, K-Rod returns from his two-game suspension due to a third-degree assault. It would be nice if the Phillies could score many runs and avoid a potential K-Rod animated celebration.

Moyer Starting Game 2

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New York Mets (62-79) at Philadelphia Phillies (80-59).

Mike Pelfrey (10-10, 4.83 ERA) starts vs. Jamie Moyer (12-9, 4.98 ERA).

With tomorrow's double header and J.A Happ's oblique injury, Jamie Moyer will make his 23rd start of the year. On Monday, the crafty veteran filled in for Happ nicely, despite the short notice. Since his bullpen demotion, Moyer is 2-0 with a 1.41 ERA. However, Moyer is 1-1 with a 7.08 ERA in 20 innings against the Mets this season. Mets hitters have batted .342 against the lefty.

Moyer will be opposed by Mike Pelfrey. Pelfrey is 3-0 with a 3.70 ERA in four starts against the Phillies this season. Ryan Howard is batting .400 with a home run in his career against Pelfrey. Chase Utley has a .300 average and three homers off Pelfrey.

The Mets elimination number is four. The Phillies can officially eliminate the Mets from the division this weekend.

Call of the Day: Chase Utley makes a potential game saving play.

"Ground ball... oh, great diving play Utley. Utley saved a lot of
trouble there, with a fine play diving to his left."

Home Runs (or Lack of) Will Effect Series at Citi

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Philadelphia Phillies (69-49) at New York Mets (56-65).
Cole Hamels (7-7, 4.69 ERA) starts vs. Mike Pelfrey (8-8, 4.75 ERA).

The rivalry is renewed. Even though the Phillies have a comfortable 14.5 game lead over the Metropolitans, this is a big series.

The Mets have been depleated with injuries, missing Jose Reyes, Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado. The newest addition to the disabled list is David Wright, who was beaned in the head, suffering a scary concussion.

Cole Hamels' roller coaster season continues. He last faced the Mets in June, and was roughed up for four runs in five innings. The home run ball hurts Hamels, who has allowed 21 bombs this season. Luckily, the Mets are not a home run hitting club, especially at pitcher friendly Citi Field. In fact, the Phillies (171) have exactly 100 more home runs than the Mets (71). And if Hamels does give up deep flies, they are usually solo shots. Hamels needs control of his fastball to help return his 2008 form.

Mike Pelfrey is 2-0 against the Phillies this season, but Chase Utley has him in his book. Unlike Hamels, Pelfrey keeps the ball in the park, but Utley has taken him deep three times in 18 at-bats. Chase will try to hit one into "Utley's Corner," dubbed by the Mets broadcasters.

When the Phillies and Mets meet, the games are usually intense and down to the wire. The Phillies can not take this series lightly even with a marginal lead.

Tonight's lineup: Rollins (SS)/ Victorino (CF)/ Utley (2B)/ Howard (1B)/ Werth (RF)/ Ibanez (LF)/ Dobbs (3B)/ Ruiz (C)/ Hamels (P).

Call of the Day: Sarge hits a HR in the 1983 NLCS.

"Well hit to deep left. Goodbye! Way, way, outta here! Gary Mathews! What a
League Championship Series he's having."