Phillies Take on the Mets in a Rare Five Game Series

Yesterday, the Phillies closed out the series against the Rockies in a huge way. Down by one run the ninth inning, the Phillies battled by back with a huge two out RBI single by Chase Utley to tie the game. Then, Ryan Howard hit a three-run walk off bomb to end the game victorious. With that win, the Phillies took two out of three in the series for the first series win at home since they hosted the Washington Nationals at the beginning of May.

Tonight, the Phillies (23-27) open a rare five-game set against the New York Mets (24-28). The series was originally just four games, but the fifth game on June 2^nd is a make up game from April 30^th, which was rained out. To kick things off, the Phillies will send rookie right-hander, David Buchanan (1-0 3.60 ERA) to the hill for his second start of his major league career. In his first major league start, Buchanan allowed five hits, two runs, and struck out two in five innings against the L.A. Dodgers. Only throwing 66 pitches in his first start, it is expected that Buchanan will have a lot longer leash tonight.

The New York Mets will send a young starter of their own to the hill, Zach Wheeler (1-5 4.63 ERA) in his second year in the major leagues. Wheeler will be looking to build off his last start against the Diamondbacks, when he went 6 2/3 innings giving up three runs, two earned, on six hits. He also struck out seven. In his two prior starts against the Yankees and Nationals, he gave up ten earned runs in 10 1/3 innings. The Mets took the series against the Phillies earlier in the year, so the Phils have an opportunity here to take the edge back from New York during the next five games.

Game Notes:

• Phillies head physician, Michael Ciccotti, examined Cuban right-hander, Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez after he complained of a dead arm. The MRI revealed no structural damage and he would continue his throwing program today.
• Since reaching the big leagues, Darin Ruf has the 10^th best home OPS (.962) at home.
• Entering tonight’s game, Ryan Howard is three RBI’s away from 1,000 RBIs for his career.
• Today is the four-year anniversary of Roy Halladay’s perfect game against the Miami Marlins. In honor of this, the Phillies will be giving away Roy Halladay bobbleheads on August 8th. 

 Phillies Lineup:

1. Ben Revere CF
2. Jimmy Rollins SS
3. Chase Utley 2B
4. Ryan Howard 1B
5. Marlon Byrd RF
6. Domonic Brown LF
7. Carlos Ruiz C
8. Cesar Hernandez 3B
9. David Buchanan P

Mets Lineup:

1. Juan Lagares CF
2. Daniel Murphy 2B
3. David Wright 3B
4. Cutris Granderson RF
5. Lucas Duda 1B
6. Chris Young LF
7. Wilmer Flores SS
8. Travis d’Arnaud C
9. Zach Wheeler P

First Pitch: 7:05 PM ET

Location: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA

Weather: 53^oF with clearing skies and wind out the east at 5 mph

TV: CSN, MLBN

Radio: 1210 WPHT, 94 WIP

Andrew Shipotofsky is a writer for Philliedelphia. Follow him on Twitter @Ashipotofsky