New York Mets (54-55) @ Philadelphia Phillies (61-48)

Date: Sunday August 8th, 2010

Time: 1:35 pm EST

Preview: With just over 50 games to play, the New York Mets are going to need a miracle to get back to the postseason. They have not played in the postseason since 2006, and are in jeopardy of being left once again. The Mets are one game below .500 and eight games behind the Braves for the top spot in the National League East. The Mets held a 5-1 lead heading into the 8th on Friday night, but allowed six runs in the eighth to lose 7-5. New York has been led offensively by Angel Pagan and David Wright. Pagan is batting .309 to lead the team, and Wright has blasted 17 homeruns and drove home 77 runs. New York ranks 24th in baseball with a .251 batting average. The pitching for New York has been solid, with a 3.53 earned run average, which is 8th in all of baseball. Knuckleball pitcher R.A. Dickey will make the start for the Mets. He has a 7-4 record and a 2.36 earned run average on the season. His last start was a no decision in Atlanta, where he pitched 6 innings, and allowed 5 hits and 2 earned runs against the Braves.

For Philadelphia, ace Roy Halladay will make the start. Halladay is 13-8 on the season, and holds a 2.17 earned run average. Roy’s last start was a win at Florida, where he pitched 7 innings and allowed 5 hits and a run. The Phillies come into Saturday’s action just a single game behind the Braves for first place in the NL East. Both Chase Utley and Ryan Howard are on the disabled list for the Phillies.

My Betting Picks: Halladay wins again. Philadelphia 7-2.