Philadelphia @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 18, 2012 ) Philadelphia 0, NY Mets 0

The Philadelphia Phillies had to wait out some bad weather in order to continue their improbable march toward a wild card spot in the National League. After taking the series opener from the New York Mets, Tuesday’s game was postponed due to inclement weather in New York. Meanwhile, the St. Louis Cardinals were beating Houston, leaving Philadelphia four games back of the second wild card slot with 14 left in the regular season. The Mets have dropped three straight and nine of 10.

The Phillies had a setback over the weekend, dropping three of four to the major league-worst Astros, and are facing an uphill battle with nine games left against the Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals. But after allowing an average of 6.0 runs in four games at Houston, the Philadelphia pitching staff found the form that has carried it in the second half. Cliff Lee and Jonathan Papelbon combined to strike out 11 in the 3-1 win on Monday. The Mets have not been able to put together much offense against any pitching staff lately, averaging just 2.3 runs and totaling one in the last two games.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, CSN (Philadelphia), SNY (New York), ESPN

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies LH Cole Hamels (15-6, 3.06 ERA) vs. Mets RH Matt Harvey (3-5, 2.92)

Hamels has not lost since Aug. 2 and has allowed three earned runs or less in each of his last nine starts. The left-hander earned the team’s lone win in Houston over the weekend, allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits while striking out eight in seven innings. Hamels has allowed four earned runs in each of his last two outings against New York but avoided the loss in each. He is just 5-10 with a 4.39 ERA in 20 career starts against the division rivals.

Harvey will be making his final start of the season after running into his innings limit. The 23-year-old rookie has surrendered three runs or less in each of his last six starts but has not gotten much support. Harvey struck out 10 and yielded one run in five innings against Washington last Wednesday but was still saddled with the loss. He beat Philadelphia on Aug. 29, allowing two runs on six hits and striking out six in 6 1/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Mets are 15 games under .500 (66-81) for the first time since 2009.

2. Phillies SS Jimmy Rollins is batting .324 (23-for-71) with 11 RBIs since being benched for not hustling on Aug. 30.

3. New York has been outscored 129-58 at home in the second half of the season and has been held to three runs or less in a franchise-record 14 straight games at Citi Field.