Weekend Series Preview: Metropolitans @ Phillies

The division rivals meet again this weekend, with the division as tight as it's been all season. The top four teams in the NL East are separated by just 2 games. A loss in the opener for this series would give the Phillies their first 7 game home losing streak since the year Citizens Bank Park opened. The Phillies had a 7 game skid at home from August 12-19, 2004. That loss would also allow the Metropolitans to tie the Phillies in the standings. Below is a look at the pitching match ups and other notes on the series.

Friday, 7:05pm. Livan Hernandez (5-3, 4.04 ERA) vs. Rodrigo Lopez (triple A stats- 5-4, 3.91 ERA). Livan in his career against the Phillies is 10-8 with a 3.36 ERA in 24 games. Hernandez has not yet faced the Phillies while wearing a Metropolitans uniform. Lopez is a former two-time 15 game winner with the Orioles, but he also lead the American League with 18 losses in 2006. This will be Rodrigo's first ML start since having Tommy John surgery following his 2007 season. Lopez has never faced the Metropolitans.

Saturday, 4:10pm. Fernando Nieve (3-1, 2.25 ERA), Jamie Moyer (6-6, 6.05 ERA). Nieve has appeared in 5 games against the Phillies as a reliever. His stats against the Phils in those games- 1 1/3 innings pitched, 5 ER, 2 walks, 1 K, 33.75 ERA. Moyer against the Metropolitans this season is 0-1 with a 9.64 ERA over 14 innings pitched in 3 starts. Moyer has pitched more than 6 innings in only one start this season. Moyer has won his last two starts, after winning only 1 of his previous 9 starts.

Sunday, 1:35pm. Johan Santana (9-6, 3.34 ERA) vs. Joe Blanton (4-4, 5.08 ERA). Johan against the Phils this season- 2-0, 3.21 ERA. Johan is undefeated in his career against the Phillies...4-0, 2.95 ERA in 8 starts. Pedro Feliez, Chase Utley, Shane Victorino and Jimmy Rollins are a combined 14-for-91 (.154 avg) with 4 homers and 6 RBI against Santana in their careers. Blanton has not faced the Metropolitans this season. In his career against the Metropolitans, Blanton is 1-0 with a 2.14 ERA and 0.95 WHIP in 3 starts.

Jimmy Rollins this season, against NL East opponents that are not the Nationals, is 13-for-92 (.141 avg.). Against the Mets, Rollins is 7-for-30 (.233 avg).

Carlos Ruiz is 0-for-15 with 2 walks in 5 games against the Metropolitans this season.

David Wright is hitting .542 (13-for-24) in 7 games against the Phillies this season with 2 homers and 5 RBI.

Metropolitans team batting average- .273
Phillies team batting average- .256

Metropolitans team ERA- 4.25
Phillies team ERA- 4.86

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