The first two games of the series have each been decided by one run. Philadelphia won 2-1 on Friday night while the Mets took Saturday’s game 5-4. In the series finale, the Mets send lefty David Peterson (1-3, 5.59) to the mound against Phillies right-hander Zach Eflin (1-1, 3.58).
Mets Power Outage
The Mets made multiple improvements to the lineup in the offseason, but so far, those moves have rung hollow for new owner Steve Cohen. The Mets are dead last in the National League with 15 home runs and also rank last in the league in runs scored (63), doubles (27), stolen bases (3), and slugging percentage (.352).
Newcomer Francisco Lindor is batting just .182 while catcher James McCann is hitting .217, and Jonathan Villar is at .222. Pete Alonso leads the team with five homers and is the only Mets player with more than eight RBI as he has 13.
JD. Davis leads the Mets with a .390 average, and outfielder Brandon Nimmo is batting .318. The other outfielders are struggling mightily as Michael Conforto is batting .220 with two homers while Dominic Smith is hitting .222 with two homers. Conforto went deep Saturday and added a double while driving in three.
Peterson has already faced the Phillies twice this season. In his season debut, the Phillies tagged him for six runs on seven hits over four innings in an 8-2 home win. Seven days later, Peterson took a no-decision at home as he allowed one run on three hits over six innings while striking out 10 in a Mets victory.
His last start was a no-decision against Boston on Tuesday as the lefty allowed two runs on four hits over six innings. Rhys Hoskins has two homers and five hits in eight at-bats against Peterson, while Alec Bohm also has a home run.
Phillies Lineup Hurting
Phillies outfielder Bryce Harper hasn’t played since being hit in the face by a pitch in St. Louis earlier this week. The 28-year-old was off to a .321 start with six homers and 10 RBI in 23 games before taking a Genesis Cabrera fastball off his cheek. Meanwhile, Jean Segura is on the IL, and shortstop Didi Gregorius returned from the COVID list Saturday to go 0-for-4.
Hoskins leads the Phils with eight homers, while Bohn has 15 RBI. Catcher J.T. Realmuto is batting .329 but will likely have the night off on Sunday. Former MVP Andrew McCutchen is batting just .175, and Philadelphia ranks 13th in the NL in runs scored (101).
Eflin hasn’t faced the Mets since 2019 as he takes the mound for the sixth time in 2021. In his career, he is 3-4 against New York with a 5.21 ERA. Conforto has three career homers against Eflin in 26 at-bats, while Alonso is 3-for-9 with a home run against him.
Peterson pitched in St. Louis on Tuesday and took a 5-2 loss to the Cardinals. He allowed a season-high nine hits and surrendered five runs over 6 ⅔ innings while striking out eight.
Betting Analysis
Mets -108, Phillies -108. Run Total 8.5. Mets run line -1.5 (+158). Phillies run line +1.5 (-192)
This pitching matchup could yield some runs if either offense could be trusted. Eflin has been better on the season as a whole, but Peterson was good against the Mets in his most recent outings. With the Phillies lineup not at full strength, this could be the chance the Mets need to get back to .500 before they head to St. Louis.
FREE PICK: Mets -108
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