The Mets and Phillies begin a big two game set tomorrow evening, at Citizens Bank Park, where the Mets are 5-2 this season. The Mets are fresh off a nice 9-1 romp of the ‘Stros and the Phillies are fresh off a four game sweep of those sad, sad Dodgers, who can’t hit to save their lives. Seriously, who gets 13 hits on consecutive nights and scores two runs and zero runs, respectively. Anyway, The Phils are rolling. They are getting pitching AND hitting at the same time for the first time in close to eight weeks. Even Jimmy Rollins busted out in a big way last night, going 3-3, after going through a 4-47 streak. Everyone in the lineup seems to be clicking, aside from Ryan Howard, who just can’t seem to get a consistent streak going this season. As much as i hate the guy, Shane Victorino is a hustler, and you have to respect that. With the game tied at two Saturday night, Victorino stretched a single into a double on a lazy throw by Manny Ramirez. The Phils later won the game 5-2 on a Pedro Feliz walkoff homer. Everyone keeps saying their pitching is their achilles heal, but Cole Hamels and Brett Myers have both pitched like aces so far in August. Jamie Moyer may be the biggest surprise of the Phils staff, posting a 3.54 ERA this year. Along with those three, righties Joe Blanton and Kyle Kendrick have ok stuff, but get away with it with good control. All in all, it should make for an entertaining two games. Let’s take a closer look at the pitching matchups.

Game 1 features the aforementioned Moyer versus Pedro Martinez. Martinez has been terrific in August, not allowing more than three earned runs in any start this month. He has also gone seven innings in his last two starts. With the way Pedro is pitching right now, I’ve gotta give the edge to the Mets in this game, but it will not be a cakewalk, as the Phils won’t roll over.

Game two features ace Johan Santana against Kyle Kendrick. Now, Santana has 12 wins, and Kendrick has 11… What? Yes, Kendrick, who is not 1/10 of the pitcher Santana is, has 11 wins. Don’t get me wrong, Kendrick is a fine pitcher, but benefits from huge run support from that Phils offense. As good as the Phils offense has been for Kendrick, i find it hard they will be getting much off Santana, with the way he is going. Advantage Mets.

Lastly, the bullpens. The Mets bullpen has blown 21 saves this year, while the Phillies closer Brad Lidge has been perfect in save situations this year. If the Mets want to win these games, they are going to need good work out of the pen.

All in all, these are both very winnable games, with the Mets missing the Phillies two best pitchers (Hamels and Myers) and the Mets throwing their best pitcher in one of the games.