Philadelphia is 8-3 the last 11 responding to the wake-up call of getting Charlie Manuel fired. The Mets are 1-6 the last seven and do not underestimate how losing their ace pitcher in the dog days of August can take a lot of energy away from them. In that span batting average and OBP of .199 and .275.

Neither pitcher has been impressive, but we do not mind fading a pitcher Torres who was drilled for eight runs in three innings to Washington last time out.

The Phillies are 9-3 in New York, 13-6 overall in the series.