Phillies, Nola to Oppose Syndergaard as 5-Game Series Continues Against Mets

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

Looking to gain the edge in the third of a five-game series, the Philadelphia Phillies (67-54) and All-Star RHP Aaron Nola will take on the New York Mets (52-68) and RHP Noah Syndergaard Friday evening at Citizens Bank Park.

Despite surrendering 30 runs and 34 hits while splitting Thursday's single-admission doubleheader, the Phillies gained a half game closer to the first-place Atlanta Braves, as they fell late to the Colorado Rockies, 5-3. Left fielder Rhys Hoskins homered in both games — producing a combined four RBI and .429/.500/1.286 slash — while catcher Wilson Ramos went 3-5 in the second game with a double, RBI and two strikeouts. The Mets set a franchise record for single-game runs scored in the doubleheader opener, outscoring the Phillies 24-4.

Following Thursday's action, the Phillies optioned right-hander Mark Leiter to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. A corresponding move will be made prior to Friday's game. Leiter allowed four hits, three walks and seven unearned runs in relief of southpaw rookie starer Ranger Suarez in the first game.

The Phillies are 53-16 (.768) when they score four or more runs in a game this season, and are 23-22 against National League East opponents. They have won 14 of their last 18, and 16 of their last 21 games at home.

Starting Pitching Matchup:

RHP Noah Syndergaard, Age: 25

• 2018 vs. PHI: 0-0, 4.50 ERA, 1 G, 1 GS, 4 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 HR, 2 BB, 7 SO, 1.500 WHIP
• Career vs. PHI: 4-1, 2.06 ERA, 7 G, 7 GS, 39 1/3 IP, 28 H, 13 R, 9 ER, 3 HR, 9 BB, 49 SO, 0.941 WHIP
• Career at Citizens Bank Park: 2-0, 1.93 ERA, 3 G, 3 GS, 14 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 2 HR, 5 BB, 19 SO, 1.000 WHIP

Over his last nine starts since May 6, Syndergaard is 6-1 with a 3.31 ERA and .269/.322/.349 opposing slash in 54 1/3 innings. Syndergaard last faced the Phillies on April 4, the Mets' fifth game of the season. The right-hander allowed two runs through four frames and 92 pitches.

RHP Aaron Nola, Age: 25

• 2018 vs. NYM: 2-0, 1.50 ERA, 3 G, 3 GS, 18 IP, 14 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 HR, 7 BB, 18 SO, 1.167 WHIP
• Career vs. NYM: 4-1, 3.71 ERA, 6 G, 6 GS, 34 IP, 32 H, 14 R, 14 ER, 6 HR, 13 BB, 32 SO, 1.324 WHIP
• Career at Citizens Bank Park: 22-12, 3.11 ERA, 40 G, 40 GS, 254 2/3 IP, 217 H, 94 R, 88 ER, 31 HR, 64 BB, 287 SO, 1.103 WHIP

Through 10 starts and 65 innings this season against opponents with a sub-.500 winning percentage, Nola is 6-1 with a 1.38 ERA, 62-22 strikeout-to-walk ratio and 1.015 WHIP. Nola is 2-o with a 1.50 ERA in three starts against the Mets in 2018, and is 4-1 with a 3.71 ERA in six starts overall against them in his career.

Starting Lineups:

Broadcast Information:

• First pitch: 6:05 p.m.
• TV: NBC 10, MLBN
• Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP

Game Notes:

• The Phillies have 41 games remaining, 21 of which are at Citizens Bank Park. The club is one of three teams this season with at least 40 wins at home, joining the MLB first and second-best Boston Red Sox (42) and New York Yankees (42).
• Ramos extended his hit streak to eight games on Thursday. He is slashing .667/.667/1.222 with three doubles, one triple and four RBI through two games and nine plate appearances thus far with the Phillies.

• This season, the Phillies and Mets have split their four games at Citizens Bank Park, while the Mets have won four of six games against the Phillies at Citi Field.
• No active member of the Phillies has previously homered off Syndergaard. Hoskins is 1-1 with a double and two walks through three career plate appearances against the right-hander (click to expand).

What's Next:

Saturday, August 18, 2018: vs. New York Mets, 4:05 p.m.

• Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pa.
• RHP Jacob deGrom (7-7, 1.81 ERA) vs. RHP Jake Arrieta (9-7, 3.33 ERA)
• TV: NBCSP; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP