By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
The Philadelphia Phillies (12-9) and RHP Jake Arrieta will oppose southpaw Steven Matz and the New York Mets (11-10) in Monday evening's three-game series opener at Citi Field. Phillies legendary shortstop Jimmy Rollins will make his NBC Sports Philadelphia broadcast debut as a color analyst. The game will begin in a rain delay, with "no estimated time for first pitch."
In his most recent start, last Tuesday against the Phillies, Matz failed to retire a single batter; he allowed eight runs (six earned) on a pair of doubles and home runs, one walk and 31 pitches (17 strikes). He became just the fifth different pitcher — since the mound was moved to its current distance in 1893 — to record a zero-out, 8-run start, according to Joel Sherman. He joined Paul Wilson (Reds, 2003 & 2005), Blake Stein (Athletics, 1998), Bobby Jones (Mets, 1997) and Bill Krueger (Athletics, 1984).
In the first 2019 meeting between the clubs, April 15-17, the Phillies won two out of three, outscoring and outhitting their division rival 23-12 and 30-29, respectively at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies have won four of their last five games against the Mets dating back to Sept. 18 of last season. The Phillies lost six of their nine games at Citi Field in 2018, going 0-2-1 in the three series; their last series win at the venue came nearly two years ago — April 18-20, 2017.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Philadelphia Phillies (12-9) | New York Mets (11-10) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Jake Arrieta | LHP | Steven Matz | ||
| (3-1, 2.25 ERA) | (1-1, 4.96 ERA) | ||||
RHP Jake Arrieta, Age: 33
- Career vs. NYM: 3-3, 2.33 ERA, 11 G, 11 GS, 73 1/3 IP, 60 H, 19 R, 19 ER, 3 HR, 16 BB, 64 SO, 1.036 WHIP
- Career at Citi Field: 1-2, 2.96 ERA, 4 G, 4 GS, 27 1/3 IP, 21 H, 9 R, 9 ER, 2 HR, 5 BB, 24 SO, 0.951 WHIP
LHP Steven Matz, Age: 27
- Career vs. PHI: 0-3, 5.96 ERA, 6 G, 6 GS, 22 2/3 IP, 23 H, 19 R, 15 ER, 6 HR, 15 BB, 18 SO, 1.676 WHIP
- Career at Citi Field: 7-14, 3.90 ERA, 35 G, 35 GS, 198 1/3 IP, 180 H, 90 R, 86 ER, 35 HR, 60 BB, 193 SO, 1.210 WHIP
Starting Lineups:
| Philadelphia Phillies (12-9) | New York Mets (11-10) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | LF | Andrew McCutchen | R | 1 | LF | Brandon Nimmo | L |
| 2 | C | J.T. Realmuto | R | 2 | 2B | Jeff McNeil | L |
| 3 | RF | Bryce Harper | L | 3 | 1B | Pete Alonso | R |
| 4 | 1B | Rhys Hoskins | R | 4 | RF | Michael Conforto | L |
| 5 | 3B | Maikel Franco | R | 5 | C | Wilson Ramos | R |
| 6 | SS | Phil Gosselin | R | 6 | 3B | Todd Frazier | R |
| 7 | 2B | Cesar Hernandez | S | 7 | SS | Luis Guillorme | L |
| 8 | CF | Aaron Altherr | R | 8 | CF | Juan Lagares | R |
| 9 | P | Jake Arrieta | R | 9 | P | Steven Matz | R |
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 7:10 p.m.
- TV: NBCSP, ESPN
- Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
- Prior to the game, the Mets optioned RHP Paul Sewald to Triple-A, placed LHP Justin Wilson (left elbow soreness) on the 10-day injured list, activated 3B Todd Frazier (oblique strain) and recalled INF Luis Guillorme. Amed Rosario (flu) and Robinson Cano (sore hand) are out of the lineup.
- On Monday, the Phillies optioned LHP Austin Davis to Triple-A Lehigh Valley and recalled RHP Edubray Ramos.
- Phillies Manager Gabe Kapler told reporters that RHP Victor Arano (right elbow inflammation) will see team physicians in Philadelphia in the next 48 hours; he "will undergo an ultrasound before a determination is made about what type of MRI to do," notes Philly.com's Scott Lauber.
- According to The Athletic's Matt Gelb, the Phillies expect shortstop Jean Segura to be ready Saturday; RHP David Robertson "will be examined when team gets home and could start throwing then." Center fielder Odubel Herrera is "progressing," while utility player Scott Kingery's timetable unclear.
- Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto is 4-for-10 in his career against Matz with one double, two RBI, one walk and three strikeouts (.400/.455/.500) (click to expand).
What's Next:
- Tuesday, April 23, 2019: at New York Mets, 7:10 p.m.
- Citi Field, Queens, NY
- RHP Zach Eflin (2-2, 3.68 ERA) vs. RHP Zack Wheeler (1-2, 6.35 ERA)
- TV: NBCSP+; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
