Philadelphia @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 16, 2011 ) Philadelphia 2, NY Mets 11

THE STORY: Although Carlos Beltran had the flu and a high fever, the New York Mets sure made the Philadelphia Phillies feel sick Saturday. Scott Hairston replaced the ailing All-Star, and belted a homer and drove in a career-high five runs in a decisive 11-2 triumph. The Mets will vie for their first series victory in four attempts this season against the Phillies in the finale of their three-game set at New York on Sunday.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, TBS, WPIX (New York), PHL 17 (Philadelphia)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Kyle Kendrick (4-4, 3.58 ERA) vs. Mets RH Mike Pelfrey (5-8, 4.55).

Kendrick has been a jack-of-all-trades for the Phillies this season. The 26-year-old Texan has served as a capable fill-in on the team's vaunted starting rotation, while also working out of the bullpen when needed. Kendrick last pitched July 10, tossing one scoreless inning of relief in a lopsided 14-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves. He is 3-5 in his career versus the Mets, although he collected a no-decision in a mop-up stint in a 9-5 loss May 29. After winning only one of his six starts in June, Pelfrey tossed two quality outings in July. He permitted two runs on eight hits in six innings against the San Francisco Giants on July 10, but suffered his fourth loss in six starts. Pelfrey is 6-5 with a 5.01 ERA in his career against Philadelphia, but has picked up a loss and a pair of no-decisions versus the National League East rival this season.

ABOUT THE PHILLIES (58-35): Philadelphia has not dropped a series since losing two of three to the Seattle Mariners from June 17-19. The Phillies have won two of three in all three series thus far this season against the Mets. Raul Ibanez collected a pair of singles to extend his hitting streak to seven games. He is 10-for-32 in his career versus Pelfrey. All-Star Shane Victorino (sprained right thumb) and closer Brad Lidge (strained rotator cuff) both had successful outings for Double A Reading in its game at Trenton on Saturday night. Victorino belted a double in the first inning and drove in a run, while Lidge retired the side in order in one inning of work.

ABOUT THE METS (47-46): Daniel Murphy has been swinging a hot bat lately, collecting 12 hits in his last 25 at-bats. Murphy, who homered in the fifth inning Saturday, is 1-for-8 in his career versus Kendrick. Third baseman David Wright went 0-for-3 with a walk Saturday in a rehab game with Class A Port St. Lucie. Wright has been sidelined since he went on the 15-day disabled list May 16 with a stress fracture in his lower back. He is expected to return to the Mets by next weekend. With Beltran questionable to play Sunday, Hairston would likely receive another start. He failed to reach base in his lone career at-bat against Kendrick.

FINAL PITCH: "Haven’t really been able to get a good roll against them. It’s kind of one of those games where you just want to throw it out.” - Philadelphia's Cole Hamels, after he permitted seven runs on eight hits in 4 1/3 innings Saturday to fall to 3-10 in his career against the Mets.