Hellickson, Syndergaard square off as Phillies look to even series against Mets

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

FLUSHING, N.Y. — Behind veteran RHP Jeremy Hellickson, the Philadelphia Phillies (59-69) will look to even their series against RHP Noah Syndergaard and the division-rival New York Mets (65-63) Saturday evening at Citi Field.

Catcher A.J. Ellis arrives from the Los Angeles Dodgers, acquired Thursday in the Carlos Ruiz trade along with minor league RHP Tommy Bergjans and a player to be named later. In a corresponding move, catcher Jorge Alfaro is slated to be optioned back to Double-A Reading after a brief one-game stint in the majors in which he did not appear. Ruiz reached base three times in his Dodgers debut with a walk, single and hit-by-pitch.

The Mets, who hit four home runs in Friday's 9-4 series opener victory, have won five of their last six contests and are 20-9 against the Phillies over the last two seasons.

Starting Pitching Matchup:

Jeremy Hellickson — Age: 29;

• Last Start: August 20, 2016, vs. STL: W, 7 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, BB, 8 SO, HR
• Career vs. NYM: (2-2), 5 G, 25 2/3 IP, 35 H, 20 R, 20 ER, 6 BB, 22 SO, 9 HR, 7.01 ERA

Over his last 10 starts, Hellickson is 6-1 with a 2.45 ERA and a 46-10 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 62 1/3 innings. Hellickson's 7.01 career ERA against the Mets is the highest among the 29 teams he has faced in his career, minimum three starts. Four of his last five starts have been on the road.

Noah Syndergaard — Age: 23;

• Last Start: August 21, 2016, at SFG: W, 8 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 SO
• Career vs. PHI: (3-0), 3 G, 19 1/3 IP, 15 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 23 SO, 2 HR, 1.40 ERA

Syndergaard's 49th start and 50th career appearance overall comes just two days before his 24th birthday. The Mansfield, Texas native is undefeated in three career starts against the Phillies with a 1.40 ERA.

Starting Lineups:

Broadcast Information:

• First pitch: 7:10 p.m.
• TV: CSN
• Radio: 1210 WPHT

Game Notes:

• In eight career games at Citi Field, Ellis is 6-27 with two doubles and three RBIs. With 34 games left to play this season and an expiring contract as the backup to catcher Cameron Rupp, the 35-year-old figures to have limited at-bats in red pinstripes.
• In the month of August, Phillies pitching has a combined 5.92 ERA, which trails just the Minnesota Twins (6.18) and Arizona Diamondbacks (5.96).
• Active members of the Mets are batting .264/.309/.434 lifetime against Hellickson with 10 doubles, four home runs, 14 RBIs, seven walks and 28 strikeouts spanning 129 at-bats and 140 plate appearances.

Standings:

What's Next:

• Sunday, August 28, 2016: at New York Mets, 1:10 p.m.
• Citi Field
  
• RHP Vince Velasquez (8-6, 4.31 ERA) vs. RHP Robert Gsellman (1-0, 0.00 ERA)
• TV: CSN; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP