After taking two out of three from the Nationals in the nation's capitol over the weekend, the Phillies return home to Citizens Bank Park to finish out their 2015 season. Their final homestand begins tonight against the NL East Champion Mets, a team the Phillies have not had any success against this season. In 16 meetings between the teams, the Mets have won 14 of them. Bartolo Colon takes the mound tonight for New York and has four wins against the Phillies this season. Meanwhile, the Phils will look to end their season on a high note in attempt to avoid their first 100-loss season since the 1960's.
Starting Pitching Match-up:
| New York Mets (89-67) | Philadelphia Phillies (59-97) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Bartolo Colon | RHP | David Buchanan | ||
| 14-12, 4.15 ERA | 2-9, 7.96 ERA | ||||
David Buchanan will look to continue his strong pitching as the season comes to a close tonight against New York. Over his last two starts, he's allowed three runs in 11 innings, striking out eight. His most recent start came against the Marlins on the 23rd. He didn't factor into the decision, tossing five innings and allowing one earned run. Since rejoining the rotation on September 9th, Buchanan's ERA has sunk from 9.11 to 7.96. He's faced the Mets once this season and got the loss, allowing five runs in 5 2/3 innings back on April 14th. Lucas Duda has three hits, two doubles, and three RBIs in his career against Buchanan
The Mets will go to veteran right-hander Bartolo Colon in tonight's game. Colon, 42, has had a great year against the NL East, going 12-2 with a 2.81 ERA against the Braves, Phillies and Marlins while posting a record of 2-10 and an ERA of 6.48 against everyone else. This season against the Phillies, he's been extremely effective though, going 4-0 with a 2.33 ERA in four starts with 29 strikeouts. Colon hasn't earned a win since September 10th. He's given up six runs in 12 innings over his last two starts against the Braves and Marlins. Cody Asche has two doubles in 13 career at-bats against Colon while Carlos Ruiz is 5-for-18 against him with a double and two RBIs.
| New York Mets (89-67) | Philadelphia Phillies (59-97) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | RF | Curtis Granderson | L | 1 | SS | Freddy Galvis | S |
| 2 | 3B | David Wright | R | 2 | CF | Odubel Herrera | L |
| 3 | 2B | Daniel Murphy | L |
3 |
LF | Aaron Altherr | R |
| 4 | CF | Yoenis Cespedes | R | 4 | 1B | Darin Ruf | R |
| 5 | 1B | Lucas Duda | L | 5 | 3B | Cody Asche | L |
| 6 | C | Travis d'Arnaud | R | 6 | 2B | Darnell Sweeney | S |
| 7 | LF | Michael Conforto | L | 7 | C | Cameron Rupp | R |
| 8 | SS | Ruben Tejada | R | 8 | RF | Brian Bogusevic | L |
| 9 | P | Bartolo Colon | R | 9 | P | David Buchanan | R |
Game Notes:
- The Phillies need to win four of their final six games to avoid their first 100-loss season since going 47-107 in 1961.
- The Phillies have lost 26 of their last 32 games to the Mets. That's nine series in a row.
- Ken Giles has a 1.36 ERA this season, lowest in the majors among qualifying relievers. The Phillies closer is 13 for 14 in save chances with 27 strikeouts and three walks. He's allowed one earned run in 22 1/3 innings.
- The Nationals suspended former Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon for the remainder of the season after his altercation in the dugout with teammate Bryce Harper. The closer finishes the year with 24 saves between Philadelphia and DC.
- The Mets clinched their first NL East title since 2006 with a 10-2 win over Cincinnati on Saturday. They will look to secure home field advantage in the NLDS over the Dodgers over the final week of play.
- Bartolo Colon is 7-1 with a 2.78 ERA in eight starts against Philadelphia over the last two years.
- Aaron Altherr and Cord Sandberg earned minor league Gold Glove Awards on Monday.
Broadcast Information:
Gametime: 7:05pm EST
Location: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Weather: 74 degrees, drizzle, 46% chance of rain
TV: CSN
Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT, WTTM 1680
Brandon Apter, Managing Editor for Philliedelphia.com
