The New York Mets and the Philadelphia Phillies will play the middle game of their 3-game set this afternoon at Citizens Bank Park. The Mets took Game 1, 4-1, but I expect the Phillies bounce back today. Two southpaws are expected to oppose each other with Jesús Luzardo getting the start for Philadelphia and Sean Manaea for New York. Manaea is 2-4 on the season with a 4.56 ERA, a 1.32 WHIP, and has not fared well against Philadelphia in his career, going 2-3 with an elevated ERA of 5.05. Luzardo comes in at 8-4 with a 3.51 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP. In his career against New York, Luzardo has delivered going 6-2 with an ERA of 3.16. Philadelphia is 7-0 in Luzardo’s last 7 starts against the NL East and they have the edge in runs scored, run differential, batting average hits and homers.
TODAY’S PICK: PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES