Series Preview: Phillies at Metropolitans, May 28-30

It's Memorial Day, so here's an abbreviated edition of the typical PhoulBallz series preview, focused on the pitching match ups for the upcoming three-game set between the Phillies and the Metropolitans.

Monday 1:10 PM. Cole Hamels (7-1, 2.17 ERA) vs. Jonathan Niese (3-2, 4.29 ERA). In his last 8 starts, Hamels is 7-0 with a 1.89 ERA. Hamels has a 4-10 record with a 4.33 ERA in 18 career starts against the Mets. In 7 career starts at Citi Field, Hamels is 1-4 with a 4.43 ERA. Niese is 1-0 with a 3.79 ERA and a .186 batting average against. In 10 career starts against the Phillies, Niese is 4-4 with a 3.58 ERA. Placido Polanco is 11-for-26 (.423 avg) with 5 doubles in his career against Niese.

Tuesday, 7:10 PM. Joe Blanton (4-4, 4.55 ERA) vs. Jeremy Hefner (0-2, 6.17 ERA). In 10 career starts against the Mets, Blanton has a 3-1 record with a 3.71 ERA. Blanton has allowed 13 earned runs in 8 2/3 innings (13.49 ERA) in his last two outings. Hefner, a right-hander, will be making his second big league start. Hefner, a 5th round draft pick in 2007 by San Diego, was picked up off waivers by New York last off-season.

Wednesday, 7:10 PM. Cliff Lee (0-2, 2.82 ERA) vs. Dillon Gee (4-3, 4.92 ERA). In 5 career starts against the Mets, Lee has a 2-1 record with a 1.85 ERA. Lee has posted a 3.53 ERA in 4 starts since returning from the disabled list with an oblique strain. In 5 career games against the Phillies, Gee has a 2-1 record with a 7.50 ERA. Gee has posted a 1-3 record with a 5.93 ERA in 5 home starts this season. Jimmy Rollins is 4-for-6 (.667 avg) against Gee in his career.

Phillies team ERA in May- 4.22 (ranked 10th in the National League)
Mets team ERA in May- 4.35 (ranked 13th in the National League)

Phillies team batting average in May- .282 (ranked 2nd in NL)
Mets team batting average in May- .242 (ranked 10th in the NL)

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