Phillies Preview: Mets Series 9/11 - 9/13

New York Mets (62-78) at Philadelphia Phillies (79-59)

September 11 - September 13

The Philadelphia Phillies will play host to the New York Mets in the teams' final rivalry match up of 2009. Before the season began, this appeared to be a critical series on paper. However, the Mets have been all but eliminated from playoff contention due to a slew of injuries. Nevertheless, they are a dangerous threat to the Phillies, who have seemed to lose their swagger ever since their magic number dipped into the 20s. This will be an interesting series, as on paper, the Phillies should take three of four games. But, it will not be easy.

September 11, 2009

7:05pm - Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA

Nelson Figueroa, RHP (2-4, 4.74) v. Cole Hamels, LHP (8-9, 4.32)

The Friday night opener of this four game series will feature Cole Hamels and former Phillie Nelson Figueroa. Hamels has had an up-and-down season, showing flashes of ace material and moments of mediocrity. Figueroa, on the flip side, wasn't expected to even be in the big leagues this year, but due to the drastic rotation troubles for the Mets, he has become a fixture in their late season roster. With the weather cooling off in Philly, this game will hinge on each team's ability to play small ball.

Pitching Primer: Nelson Figueroa

2009 Road Splits: (1-1) 3 G, 13.2 IP, 1.32 ERA, 16 K

Career at Citizens Bank Park: n/a

Career vs. Phillies Hitters: 34 PA, .321 BA, 0 HR, 4 K

Pitching Primer: Cole Hamels

2009 Home Splits: (5-3) 13 G, 81.0 IP, 3.67 ERA, 80 K

Career at Citizens Bank Park: (25-15) 52 G, 340.2 IP, 3.38 ERA, 315 K

Career vs. Mets Hitters: 166 PA, .299 BA, 5 HR, 32 K

September 12, 2009

4:05pm - Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA

Mike Pelfrey, RHP (10-10, 4.83) v. Jamie Moyer, LHP (12-9, 4.98)

The Phillies and Mets will meet again on national television on Saturday afternoon in the second game of the series. Mike Pelfrey, the Mets' righty will be opposed by Phillies veteran Jamie Moyer. Moyer had been supplanted in the rotation by Pedro Martinez, but now due to an injury, will return as a spot-starter. Moyer has looked very good since the move, though, and will look to assert himself against the Mets. This will be an interesting match up, as the Mets have hit Moyer in the past and Pelfrey has looked decent against the Phils' lineup.

Pitching Primer: Mike Pelfrey

2009 Road Splits: (4-7) 12 G, 67.1 IP, 6.55 ERA, 37 K

Career at Citizens Bank Park: (1-1) 3 G, 15.1 IP, 5.28 ERA, 5 K

Career vs. Phillies Hitters: 167 PA, .242 BA, 5 HR, 19 K

Pitching Primer: Jamie Moyer

2009 Home Splits: (6-7) 14 G, 75.2 IP, 6.07 ERA, 42 K

Career at Citizens Bank Park: (22-15) 48 G, 277.1 IP, 170 K

Career vs. Mets Hitters: 288 PA, .315 BA, 10 HR, 25 K

September 13, 2009 - Game One

1:05pm - Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA

Tim Redding, RHP (2-5, 5.78) v. Kyle Kendrick, RHP (0-1, 5.06)

The third game of the series will series will also be the first of a day-night double header in Philadelphia, as the two teams make up a game that was rained out earlier this season. Tim Redding will get the nod for the Mets. Redding was nearly released earlier this season and has bounced between the rotation and the bullpen. The Phillies will counter with the outcast Kyle Kendrick. Kendrick has spent most of the season in the minors, despite being a relatively effective starter in his first two seasons in the majors. He will try to give the Phillies a shot against the Mets and keep their bullpen in tact.

Pitching Primer: Tim Redding

2009 Road Splits: (1-2) 12 G, 47.1 IP, 5.13 ERA, 31 K

Career at Citizens Bank Park: (1-1) 3 G, 18.0 IP, 2.00 ERA, 10 K

Career vs. Phillies Hitters: 235 PA, .210 BA, 5 HR, 40 K

Pitching Primer: Kyle Kendrick

2009 Home Splits: (0-1) 3 G, 3.1 IP, 8.10 ERA, 0 K

Career at Citizens Bank Park: (12-6) 29 G, 146.1 IP, 4.31 ERA, 67 K

Career vs. Mets Hitters: 78 PA, .338 BA, 1 HR, 6 K

September 13, 2009 - Game Two

8:05pm - Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA

John Maine, RHP (5-4, 4.52) v. Pedro Martinez, RHP (4-0, 3.64)

The finale of the rivalry series will be a night game on national television and the second of the day-night double header. John Maine, the Mets' oft-injured righty will make his return with a start against the Phillies. He will be challenged by Pedro Martinez, who will get another start against his former ball club. Martinez has continued to pick up momentum and has looked better in each start with the Phillies. The Phils will need to be patient in this game and look for another solid performance from Pedro.

Pitching Primer: John Maine

2009: Road Splits: (1-3) 6 G, 32.2 IP, 6.34 ERA, 20 K

Career at Citizens Bank Park: (2-0) 3 G, 19.2 IP, 2.75 ERA, 15 K

Career vs. Phillies Hitters: 145 PA, .256 BA, 5 HR, 19 K

Pitching Primer: Pedro Martinez

2009 Home Splits: (1-0) 3 G, 12.0 IP, 1.50 ERA, 13 K

Career at Citizens Bank Park: (2-1) 7 G, 30.1 IP, 5.34 ERA, 38 K

Career vs. Mets Hitters: 144 PA, .266 BA, 6 HR, 20 K