Series Preview: Metropolitans at Phillies, April 13-15

Entering the weekend with a Major League best 1.99 ERA, the Phillies will continue to rely on that strength as they begin a 3-game series with the division rival New York Mets.

Among the most reliable hurlers for the Phils is lefty ace Cliff Lee, who will take the mound in game 1. Lee had a pair of strong outings against New York last season, allowing just 1 run over 14 total innings.

The Mets will counter with right-hander R.A. Dickey. The veteran hasn't had much luck at the home park of the Phillies, posting a 0-2 record with a 6.00 ERA in 2 career starts at Citizens Bank Park.

New York third baseman David Wright could miss time in the series, as he is dealing with a fracture in his right pinky finger. Wright suffered the injury sliding into a base this week.

Read ahead for loads more details on the pitching match ups and plenty more stats for this series.

Friday, 7:05 PM. R.A. Dickey (1-0, 3.00 ERA) vs. Cliff Lee (0-0, 1.50 ERA). In 6 career starts against the Phillies, Dickey has a 2-3 record with a 2.61 ERA. In 16 road games last year, Dickey posted a 6-4 record with a 2.99 ERA. Jimmy Rollins is 1-for-14 (.071 avg) in his career against Dickey. Lee has a 2-0 record with a 0.43 ERA and a .224 batting average in 3 career starts against the Mets. In 18 regular season starts at Citizens Bank Park last season, Lee posted an 11-3 record with 1.94 ERA.

Saturday, 4:05 PM. Jonathan Niese (1-0, 4.50 ERA) vs. Vance Worley (0-0, 1.50 ERA). Niese has a 3-4 record with a 4.07 ERA in 8 career starts against the Phillies. In 5 starts at Citizens Bank Park, Niese has a 1-3 record and a 5.72 ERA. Placido Polanco is 9-for-21 (.429 avg) with 4 doubles in his career against Niese. In 16 career games at Citizens Bank Park, Worley has posted 7-2 record and a 2.33 ERA with a .204 batting average against. Daniel Murphy is 4-for-8 (.500 avg) in his career against Worley.

Sunday, 1:35 PM. Mike Pelfrey (0-0, 4.76 ERA) vs. Cole Hamels (0-1, 5.06 ERA). Pelfrey has a 7-7 record and a 5.37 ERA in 19 career starts against Philadelphia. In 3 starts at Citizens Bank Park last season Pelfrey posted a 9.49 ERA. Hunter Pence is 7-for-18 (.389 avg) with a double and a homer against Pelfrey. In 17 career starts against the Mets, Hamels has a 3-10 record with a 4.46 ERA. Hamels sported a 6.86 in 4 starts against the Metropolitans last season.

Ruben Tejada has a .177 batting average in 20 career games against the Phillies.

David Wright, who is batting .583 through 4 games this season, went 15-for-38 (.395 avg) in 9 games at Citizens Bank Park last year.

In 109 career games against the Mets, Juan Pierre has a .309 batting average with 43 stolen bases.

Jimmy Rollins posted a .355 batting average in 15 games against the Mets last season. Rollins is 11-for-20 (.550 avg) with 4 extra base hits against Mets reliever Miguel Batista in his career.

In 13 games against the Mets last season, Carlos Ruiz posted a .389 batting average with a double and 5 RBI.

Mets team batting average- .251
Phillies team batting average- .240
______________________________________________

You can follow PhoulBallz on Twitter by clicking HERE.

Also connect with PhoulBallz on Facebook by clicking HERE.

Prospect Nation 2012: #1 RHP Trevor May

With a massively impressive campaign in 2011 for the Class A Advanced Clearwater Threshers, right-handed starting pitcher Trevor May locked down his spot as Philadelphia's top prospect and is on the fast track toward the big leagues. He is the reigning Paul Owens Award winner, given to the top pitcher and player in the Phillies' developmental system each year. In 27 starts with the Threshers in 2011, May posted a 10-8 record with a 3.63 ERA, while striking out a Florida State League leading 208 batters in 151 1/3 innings. He also held opposing hitters to a .221 average. The Phillies' 4th round draft pick from 2008, May earned the win in the 50th annual Florida State League All-Star Game at Bright House Field last year. He also was twice named FSL Pitcher of the Week and earned Phillies Minor League Pitcher of the Month honors for June. After signing with Philadelphia, May helped lead the rookie level Gulf Coast League Phillies to a championship in 2008. In 5 regular ...

PhoulBallz Interview: RHP Prospect Brody Colvin

Recently, right-handed pitcher Brody Colvin was promoted from Class A Advanced Clearwater to Double-A Reading. Prior to the 2012 season, Colvin, who turns 22-years-old on Tuesday, was ranked as PhilliesNation's 6th best prospect . This season, following some ups and downs, it's unclear where Colvin will rank next preseason. Earlier this year, Colvin, a Louisiana native, was removed from Clearwater's starting rotation and moved to the bullpen to relax and improve his mental approach. He did so and returned to starting after a brief time. Through his first two outings with the R-Phils, the 7th round draft choice from 2009 posted a 1-0 record while allowing five earned runs in 11 innings (4.09 ERA). In his last start on Saturday, however, Colvin allowed eight earned runs in 2 2/3 innings pitched in a loss to New Britain. In a recent interview with Brody, he spoke about the transition moving to the Eastern League, his brief bullpen stint, physical concerns from last season...

Prospect Nation 2016: #9 Catcher Jorge Alfaro

Alfaro, image- USA Today Acquired as part of the the return for Cole Hamels and Jake Diekman from Texas last summer, catcher Jorge Alfaro quickly became one of the Phillies' most promising young talents. With a powerful bat and outstanding skills behind the dish, Alfaro could become a fast moving performer for his new organization. Originally signed by the Rangers for a reported $1.3 million in 2010 at the age of 16, the Colombia native would make his professional debut in the Dominican Summer League that same year. In 48 games, the righty hitting Alfaro posted a .221 average and a home run along with 23 RBI. The following year, with Class A short-season Spokane, the talented youngster tallied a .300 average with six homers and 23 RBI. In 2012 with full season Class A level Hickory, he batted .261 with five home runs, 34 RBI and 16 stolen bases in 74 contests.

PhoulBallz.com

Search This Blog