Here are five things to watch and predictions as the Mets and Phillies play a three-game series in Philadelphia starting on Friday.
5 things to watch
Can the Mets' offense snap out of it?
New York's offense is in a serious rut, having scored just five runs over the last four games -- all losses. And four of those runs came on Tuesday against the Braves in Atlanta.
A main culprit has been the Mets' bottom of the order (save for Tyrone Taylor's big game on Tuesday), which has not been able to do much.
Another issue right now is that both Francisco Lindorand Pete Alonso have gone cold.
Lindor is 0-for-14 over his last four games, though he did hit a few balls on the screws on Thursday night in Atlanta.
Alonso has just three hits in his last 16 at-bats and hasn't homered since June 8.
It's easy to envision New York's bats coming alive at hitter-friendly Citizens Bank Park, but Philadelphia's starting rotation could have something to say about that.
The Phillies' rotation
Zack Wheeler, Mick Abel, and Jesus Luzardo are lined up to start against the Mets, with Wheeler getting Friday's series-opener.
Wheeler is having another Cy Young-caliber season, with a 2.76 ERA and career-best 0.88 WHIP. He's also striking out a career-high 11.3 batters per nine.
Abel has hit the ground running in his rookie season, with a 2.21 ERA and 1.03 WHIP over his first four starts in the majors.
The wild card is Luzardo, who began the season on fire but has struggled badly recently, pitching to a 13.50 ERA in 16.2 innings over his last four starts.
Blade Tidwell gets another shot
When the Mets were forced to turn to Justin Hagenman on Thursday night in Atlanta, it meant they were going to have to call someone else up to start on Friday.
Tidwell struggled earlier this season against the Cardinals in St. Louis during what was his first big league start, allowing six runs on nine hits in 3.2 innings.
And he was hit hard his last time out for Triple-A Syracuse, giving up six runs on seven hits in 3.2 innings.
Before that start, Tidwell had been pitching relatively well, allowing just 12 earned runs over his prior 31.2 innings over six outings.
How is Brett Baty doing?
Baty left last Sunday's game against the Rays early due to right groin tightness, and he hasn't played since.
He made some progress on Thursday, and was viewed as a possible option to contribute off the bench. But he wasn't called upon in the Mets' lopsided loss.
With Baty out, it has opened the door for more playing time for Ronny Mauricio, who homered last Saturday and went 1-for-2 on Sunday after replacing Baty in the seventh inning. But Mauricio didn't do much against the Braves, going 1-for-10.
Baty was scuffling at the plate before injuring his groin, but did smack a homer last Saturday.
On the horizon is Mark Vientos, who is rehabbing with Syracuse and could possibly return to the Mets next week.
Kyle Schwarber has stepped up power-wise with Bryce Harper out
Harper hasn't played since June 5 due to a wrist injury, taking a massive bat out of Philadelphia's lineup.
But Schwarber has filled the power void in Harper's absence, smacking four homers in the 13 games since the first baseman went down.
Schwarber remains very susceptible to the strikeout, though, having fanned 26 times in 64 at-bats this month.
Elsewhere in Philadelphia's lineup, Alec Bohm -- who was the subject of trade fodder earlier this season -- is hitting well.
He has 17 hits in his last 41 at-bats, including a pair of homers and a pair of doubles.
Predictions
Who will the MVP of the series be?
The homer drought ends in Philadelphia.
Which Mets pitcher will have the best start?
David Peterson
Peterson carries a 2.60 ERA into Sunday's start.
Which Phillies player will be a thorn in the Mets' side?
Nick Castellanos
Castellanos isn't having the best season, but he's always dangerous.
