Vance Worley Leads Struggling Phillies Into New York

Erik Seybold

July 3 2012

The Phillies started this road trip off in a bad way by being swept in Miami. This week, they'll play a three-game set in New York against the Mets before headed home to host the Braves for a weekend series to close out the first half of the year. Today Vance Worley (4-4, 2.92 ERA) will get the start against the Mets while Jonathan Niese (6-3, 3.55 ERA) will be his counterpart.

Worley is coming off of a strong winning outing against the Pirates. On Tuesday, Worley tossed six innings, allowing three earned on six hits while walking two and striking out five. This will be Worley's first start with a week's rest all season and he will look to keep his command and velocity at the right spot. In his last three starts, Worley is 1-2 with a 2.70 ERA and tonight will be his second start against the Mets this season. Back on April 14, Worley was held accountable for four earned runs on eight hits through six innings in a losing decision against the Mets. In his career, Worley has a 3-2 record with a 3.60 ERA against the Mets.

Opposing the Phils will be Jonathan Niese, who is coming off of a fabulous month of June. Compared to his 1-2 record and 6.07 ERA in May, Niese began to find his edge in June, going 3-1 with a 1.89 ERA. In Niese's last start, against the Cubs on Wednesday, he allowed just one earned run through seven innings. Niese yielded eight hits and a walk while striking out six to earn the win. Niese has faced the Phillies twice this year, back on April 14 and most recently on May 7. Niese took a no-decision in the latter, allowing two earned runs on four hits and four walks through five innings. This will be his first start against the Phillies at home this season. In his career, Niese holds a 4-4 record with a 3.86 ERA against the Phils.

The Phillies are in a bind right now. To sell or not to sell? That is the question. The Phils are 36-45, 9 games under .500 for the first time since 2006 and they are on the verge of becoming sellers this July. A lot of the selling would have to deal with Cole Hamels, who is a free agent at the end of the year. Ruben Amaro Jr. has stated that the Phillies have not thrown in the towel on the season and they have also not given up on trying to sign Cole Hamels.

Tonight's lineup @ NYM: