New York Mets (4-2) vs Philadelphia Phillies (3-3)
No one is sure who will win the National League East but everyone is pretty sure the New York Mets will finish in last place.
Friday April 13
Citizen Bank Park – Philadelphia, PA
7:05PM
Moneyline: Philadelphia -190, New York +160
O/U: 6.5
Probable Starters:
NYM: R.A. Dickey
PHI: Cliff Lee
New York
A solid start so far has them a game over .500 and a game up on Philadelphia but it is going to be hard to maintain that advantage through their visit to the City of Brotherly Love. The key to their early success has been better than expected pitching, which has very questionable staying power for a team that thinks Miguel Batista is still big league material.
Starter R.A. Dickey has made one start this year and I am still amazed how we has become a reliable arm for New York. Unfortunately, his track record at Philadelphia’s new stadium isn’t great with an ERA of 6 and two losses. He is catching the Phils at a good time because they are down some significant bats due to injury but he has actually had little trouble with Ryan Howard and Chase Utley in the past. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
Philadelphia
The Phillies are looking to continue their winning ways with the Mets coming to town. They took the last two of their series against Miami getting another great start yesterday, this time from Joe Blanton. The Phillies have given up just two runs over the last two games and with Cliff Lee on the mound they are expecting another top performance. Lee gave up just two hits in his opening start earning a no decision in a 2-1 loss to Pittsburgh.
Lee has been lights out against New York in the past having given up just one earned run over 21 innings. He is also very tough to beat at home with a 14-5 record and an ERA a smidge over 2 at Citizens Bank Park. For now Hunter Pence is supplying just enough offense for Philadelphia to win but if the pitching slips just a little he is going to need a lot more support from the rest of the lineup.
O/U Pick: Over
Score Prediction: Philadelphia 5 – New York 2
