New York @ Philadelphia preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 26, 2015 ) NY Mets 9, Philadelphia 4

Michael Cuddyer and the New York Mets have feasted on the Philadelphia Phillies this season. Cuddyer looks to continue his good fortune as the Mets attempt to complete a four-game sweep of Philadelphia for the first time since Sept. 6-9, 2002, when the National League East rivals meet at Citizens Bank Park on Thursday.

Cuddyer drove in three runs in New York's 9-4 triumph on Wednesday to improve to 7-for-10 with two homers and six RBIs in the series. The offseason acquisition has flustered Philadelphia throughout 2015, going 19-for-37 (.514) with 12 RBIs as the Mets have outscored the Phillies 74-38 en route to winning 11 of the 12 meetings. New York has erupted for 64 runs on 16 homers to emerge victorious in six straight overall and seize a season-high 6 1/2-game lead over second-place Washington. Philadelphia has once again made itself at home in the cellar, but Andres Blanco has been one of the few bright spots by batting .400 (14-for-35) with seven runs scored during his nine-game hitting streak.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), CSN Philadelphia

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets LH Jonathon Niese (8-9, 3.80 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Aaron Harang (5-14, 4.67)

Niese improved to 3-0 in his last five outings on Saturday despite permitting seven runs on 11 hits in 5 1/3 innings of a 14-9 triumph over Colorado. The seven runs allowed matched the sum total of the previous four starts (26 innings) for the 28-year-old. Niese improved to 10-6 in his career versus Philadelphia after yielding just three runs in 13 1/3 innings to post wins on April 15 and May 9, respectively.

Harang deserved a better fate on Sunday after allowing just two runs on as many hits in seven innings of a no-decision against Miami. The 37-year-old didn't permit a homer in that contest, but has been taken deep 14 times in his previous 12 games - during which he has limped to a 1-11 mark. Harang has lost both meetings with the Mets this season despite allowing just four runs on 12 hits in 13 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. New York is batting .357 as a team with 27 doubles during its winning streak.

2. Philadelphia 1B Ryan Howard is 5-for-13 with two homers, five RBIs and four runs scored in the series.

3. While the majority of his team has prospered at the plate, Mets RF Curtis Granderson is just 1-for-8 in the series.

PREDICTION: Mets 10, Phillies 2