Phillies Go For Sweep As Hamels, Niese Face Off In Finale

Just three days ago, the Phillies were swept in four games by the Toronto Blue Jays. Today, they are a win away from completing a sweep of their own against the New York Mets. Last night, the Phils narrowly edged the Mets 5-4. Led offensively by Jimmy Rollins (3-4, 4 R, 1 RBI), Chase Utley (2-3, 2 RBI), and Ryan Howard (4-5, 1 RBI), the Phillies won their 17th game of the year and are now one game within a .500 record. Today, the Phils will send out Cole Hamels (0-2, 7.02 ERA) in an effort to sweep the Mets. Opposing Hamels and the Phils will be Jonathan Niese (2-2, 1.82 ERA).

Cole Hamels has yet to record a win in 2014 after making three starts. His last time out, Hamels was hit 10 times for five runs over six innings against the Blue Jays. Striking out a season-high six batters, Hamels took the loss. Hamels will be making his second start against the Mets this season. Last time he took them on, he took the loss as he gave up six earned runs on eight hits through 4 2/3 innings. In Hamels' career against the Mets, he 7-14 with a 4.65 ERA.

Jonathon Niese has been on a roll of late. Niese has posted a 1.01 ERA with 21 strikeouts and seven walks in his last four starts and has gone 2-1 in that stretch. His last time out, against the Marlins, Niese went seven scoreless innings, allowing five hits and striking out six. Despite the quality start, Niese took the no-decision in a game that the Mets lost after he left the game. Niese has almost re-established himself as the staff ace for the Mets and is looking to keep it up as he takes on the Phillies. In his career against them, Niese is 7-6 with a 3.00 ERA.

Game Notes:

• Tony Gwynn Jr. will start in CF today, giving Ben Revere (.279) the day off.
• The Phillies are 9-2 in weekend games this season.
• Jimmy Rollins is 26 hits away from becoming the all-time hits leader for the Phillies franchise.

Today's lineups:

Phillies lineup:

1. Tony Gwynn Jr. CF
2. Jimmy Rollins SS
3. Chase Utley 2B
4. Ryan Howard 1B
5. Marlin Byrd RF
6. Domonic Brown LF
7. Wil Nieves C
8. Cody Asche 3B
9. Cole Hamels P.

Mets lineup:

1. Eric Young Jr. LF
2. Daniel Murphy 2B
3. David Wright 3B
4. Chris Young RF
5. Eric Campbell 1B
6. Juan Lagares CF
7. Anthony Recker C
8. Ruben Tejada SS
9. Jonathon Niese P.

First Pitch: 1:10 PM ET
Location: Citi Field, New York, New York
Weather: 74° – Sunny – 0% Precip 
TV: CSN

Erik Seybold is a writer for Philliedelphia.com. Follow him on Twitter @ErikSeyboldPHI.