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The New York Mets’ lead in the NL East Division has shrunk to a half-game, and they could fall out of first this weekend as they face the Phillies in Philadelphia. The Phils are favored for Friday’s series opener – and would take over first with a win.

How to Bet Mets at Phillies MLB Odds & TV Info

When: Friday, 7 PM ET
Where: Citizens Bank Park
Probable pitchers (away/home): Marcus Stroman/Kyle Gibson
TV: ESPN
Stream/gameday audio: ESPN app
Opening MLB Lines: Phillies -110, Mets +110 (total 8.5)

Why Bet on New York?

The Mets pinch-hitters are batting .261/.333/.484 with 13 doubles, seven home runs, 34 RBI and 14 walks. Their .261 batting average is the third-best in the majors and the best in the NL. Their .817 pinch-hit OPS is the best in the NL and is third in the majors. The team’s seven pinch-hit home runs is tied for the third-most in the majors.

Second baseman Jeff McNeil got Thursday’s game off in Miami but should start this one. ff McNeil is batting .333 (31-93) with 14 runs, seven doubles, three home runs, 15 RBI, nine walks, a .404 OBP and a .505 SLG in 27 games since the start of July. After batting .196/.397/.339 in 20 games in the first month of the season, McNeil is batting .300/.374/.424 with 23 runs, nine doubles, four home runs, 20 RBI and a .797 OPS in 50 games since the start of May

It’s Marcus Stroman (7-10) on the mound for the Mets. Stroman struggled in last Sunday’s loss to the Reds, giving up four runs on eight hits over 5 2/3 innings. The right-hander walked one and struck out four on the afternoon. After keeping the Reds off the board through the first three innings, Max Schrock got him for a solo shot in the fourth inning. The Reds then scratched out three more while chasing him in the sixth.

The 30-year-old has taken six losses in his last nine starts. He’s still pitched fairly well, allowing 22 runs (18 earned) in 44.2 innings in that span. For the year, he owns a 2.80 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 101:28 K:BB through 122.1 innings. Stroman is 13th in MLB and fifth in the NL with a 2.06 walks per 9.0 IP rate. He has induced 14 double plays, tied for the third-most in the NL and tied for sixth in the majors.

Stroman is 4-3 with a 2.50 ERA vs. the Phillies in his career. He faced them last on June 27 at Citi Field and pitched 3.0 innings and allowed four runs, two earned, on five hits with three walks and three strikeouts. The Mets lost, 4-2.

Why Bet on Philadelphia?

Bryce Harper hit his 250^th career homer on Thursday. He collected his 250th career double on Aug. 1 at Pittsburgh. In doing so, he became the 35^th player in major league history to record his 250th career double and 250th career home run in the same season (last: Mike Trout in 2019). Harper has been scorching hot with the bat as of late, and now has his slash up to .305/.417/.563. Over the last 15 days, those numbers improve to .413/.565/.804.

Since 2020, with Rhys Hoskins in the starting lineup, the Phillies are 74-65 (.535 win %) – in the 30 games he has not started since 2020, the Phillies are 10-20 (.333 win %). Shortstop Jean Segura has been battling some knee soreness and didn’t play Thursday but probably will here.

The Phillies are set to start newly-acquired Kyle Gibson (7-3). Prior to the Trade Deadline, the Phils landed Gibson, RHP Ian Kennedy, and RHP Hans Crouse from the Rangers for RHP Spencer Howard, RHP Josh Gessner, and RHP Kevin Gowdy.

In his Phillies debut, Gibson yielded two runs over 6 2/3 last Sunday to pick up a win against the Pirates. He struck out five batters and only issuing two walks while working into the seventh inning. It was just the second time this season that a Phillies pitcher not named Wheeler, Nola or Eflin had recorded 6 2/3 innings.

“I hope that you’re able to get used to seeing me go out there for the seventh inning, especially with a high pitch count,” Gibson said. “I really enjoy going as deep into the game as possible.”

The 33-year-old Gibson generated 14 swinging strikes, including six on his changeup. The last two outings have been a bounce-back stretch for the veteran, who posted two straight awful outings against the Tigers surrounding the All-Star break. Gibson now owns a 5.46 ERA across five outings since the beginning of July. Overall, he has a 2.86 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 99/43 K/BB ratio across 119 2/3 innings (20 starts).

Gibson is 0-2 with a 6.75 ERA in three career starts vs. the Mets.

Game Trends

Mets are 6-1 in their last 7 road games vs. a team with a winning record.
Phillies are 5-1 in their last 6 home games vs. a team with a winning record.
Phillies are 6-2 in their last 8 home games following a road trip of 7 or more days.
Mets are 7-3 in the last 10 meetings.
Over is 7-1 in the last 8 meetings in Philadelphia.