Mets Have Phillies Number at Citizens Park

On Saturday, the City of Brotherly Love will host two National League East rivals when the New York Mets visit the Philadelphia Phillies. The current line has the game as nearly a tossup with New York on -106, Philadelphia on -102 and the over/under run total at 8.5.

Entering this game, New York is second in the NL East with a record of 48-42 overall and 22-21 on the road. The Mets are 6-4 in their past 10 games played. Philadelphia is in fourth place in the division with a record of 42-49 overall and 21-24 at home. The Phillies are 6-4 in their last 10 games played.

New York will send Logan Verrett to the mound on Saturday. The Mets right-hander is 3-6 with an ERA of 4.34 on the season. Philadelphia will counter with Jerad Eickhoff. The Phillies right-hander is 6-10 with an ERA of 3.80 on the season.

Verrett is making consecutive starts for only the first time since late April. He defeated Philadelphia 11-1 in April scattering six hits while fanning four.

Eickhoff gave up 8 runs, his season high, on 8 hits over just 5 1/3 innings in a loss to Colorado 8-3. Eickhoff has pitched well against New York this season, but the results have not been favorable. He is now 1-4 during his career versus the Mets despite holds the Mets to a .198 batting average.

This season the Mets have played well at Citizens Park in Philly. Neil Walker has hit four home runs in the four games he has played there this season for the Mets. The Mets as a team have 14 home runs this season at Citizens. Walker belted a three-run home run in the Mets 5-3 win on Friday.

New York has hit 31 home runs in its past 11 games in Philadelphia. New York is 4-3 this season versus the Phillies. Philadelphia lost for only the fourth time in its past 14 games. Peter Bourjos has 30 hits in his past 75 at bats for the Phillies over a stretch of 19 games.

Philadelphia center fielder Odubel Herrera, who was an All-Star, is 1 for his past 19.

New York shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera in nine games during June has 12 hits.

Philadelphia rookie first baseman Tommy Joseph has 11 hits in his past 22 at bats including 3 home runs, 6 RBIs and 8 runs scored over  his past 7 games.

Prediction: The Mets have the Phillies number at Citizens Park. Lean here toward the visitors.