By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
As all clubs and players around Major League Baseball celebrate the legacy of Jackie Robinson and wear his famous No. 42, the Philadelphia Phillies (9-5) and New York Mets (9-6), in particular, will do so by kicking off a three-game series Monday evening at Citizens Bank Park.
Tonight, we’re all 42.
Thank you, Jackie. #Jackie42 pic.twitter.com/Bb3GZ0IQ0G
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) April 15, 2019
RELATED | Hernandez, Segura Power Phillies to 14-Inning Victory
Jean Segura and Cesar Hernandez's first home runs of the season was all the Phillies needed to edge the Miami Marlins, 3-1, albeit in 14 innings, during Sunday's series finale at Marlins Park. Phillies starter Vince Velasquez took a no-hitter into the sixth inning, before the club's bullpen would go on to strike out 14 batters among seven pitchers and eight combined innings.
In Monday's opener, right-handed aces Aaron Nola and Noah Syndergaard in the first meeting between the clubs this season. The Phillies and Mets entered Monday with having the second and fourth-best records in the National League, respectively. For a rivalry that thrived during the Phillies' most recent window of success, it will be interesting to see it revive on Monday, with both clubs showing promise early on in the season.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| New York Mets (9-6) | Philadelphia Phillies (9-5) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Noah Syndergaard | RHP | Aaron Nola | ||
| (1-1, 4.74 ERA) | (1-0, 6.46 ERA) | ||||
RHP Noah Syndergaard, Age: 26
- Career vs. PHI: 5-3, 3.23 ERA, 10 G, 10 GS, 55 2/3 IP, 52 H, 24 R, 20 ER, 6 HR, 19 BB, 64 SO, 1.275 WHIP
- Career at Citizens Bank Park: 2-2, 3.80 ERA, 5 G, 5 GS, 23 2/3 IP, 21 H, 12 R, 10 ER, 4 HR, 10 BB, 30 SO, 1.310 WHIP
Syndergaard has walked just two batters all season (19 innings), as opposed to Nola's eight walks allowed (15 1/3 innings). The right-hander surrendered four runs to the Minnesota Twins in his most recent start, but still earned the win as the Mets provided nine supporting runs.
RHP Aaron Nola, Age: 25
- Career vs. NYM: 6-1, 3.35 ERA, 9 G, 9 GS, 53 2/3 IP, 44 H, 20 R, 20 ER, 9 HR, 17 BB, 60 SO, 1.137 WHIP
- Career at Citizens Bank Park: 25-14, 3.11 ERA, 48 G, 48 GS, 304 1/3 IP, 252 H, 113 R, 105 ER, 39 HR, 82 BB, 350 SO, 1.097 WHIP
Nola has allowed 11 runs (10 earned) over his last two starts and 9 1/3 innings. In his first start against the Braves on Opening Day, Nola had a 60 percent soft contact, but in his following two starts, he had a 16.7 percent and a 18.2 percent, RotoGrinders' Stephen Young notes.
Starting Lineups:
| New York Mets (9-6) | Philadelphia Phillies (9-5) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | CF | Brandon Nimmo | L | 1 | LF | Andrew McCutchen | R |
| 2 | 1B | Pete Alonso | R | 2 | SS | Jean Segura | R |
| 3 | 2B | Robinson Cano | L | 3 | RF | Bryce Harper | L |
| 4 | RF | Michael Conforto | L | 4 | 1B | Rhys Hoskins | R |
| 5 | C | Wilson Ramos | R | 5 | C | J.T. Realmuto | R |
| 6 | LF | Jeff McNeil | L | 6 | CF | Odubel Herrera | L |
| 7 | SS | Amed Rosario | R | 7 | 2B | Cesar Hernandez | S |
| 8 | 3B | J.D. Davis | R | 8 | 3B | Maikel Franco | R |
| 9 | P | Noah Syndergaard | L | 9 | P | Aaron Nola | R |
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 7:05 p.m.
- TV: NBCSP+
- Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
Game Notes:
- Over their last three games, the Mets have scored an average of 3.67 runs in the opening five innings. They have outscored opponents 10-5 during the first five innings of Syndergaard's three starts this season, Covers notes.
- Prior to the game, Phillies Manager Gabe Kapler said they will look for ways over the next couple of days to get Scott Kingery into the lineup, Philly.com's Matt Breen reports. Over his last five games and 13 plate appearances, Kingery is slashing .667/.692/.917 with five singles, three doubles and two strikeouts.
#Phillies Manager Gabe Kapler on Aaron Nola controlling his walk rate tonight against the #Mets pic.twitter.com/t3DpM3Q4m9
— Dave Uram (@MrUram) April 15, 2019
- Former Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard will join the ESPN Broadcast crew to call the game with Karl Ravech and Tim Kurkjian. The game can be seen locally on NBCSP+.
- Gusty winds will play a factor: WNW 8-16 mph, gusts over 20 mph at times at the start of the game, Meteorologist Steven DiMartino notes.
The winds are blowing tonight in South Philadelphia. #Phillies Manager Gabe Kapler talked about that before Phillies-Mets pic.twitter.com/axuraRtZ0O
— Dave Uram (@MrUram) April 15, 2019
- Phillies Recall Anderson, Place Robertson on 10-Day Injured List
- Bryce Harper will wear Robinson UCLA-themed Under Armour spikes. Harper is 7-for-24 lifetime against Syndergaard with six singles, one double, three RBI, four walks and seven strikeouts (.292/.400/.333) (click to expand).
What's Next:
- Tuesday, April 16, 2019: vs. New York Mets, 7:05 p.m.
- Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pa.
- LHP Steven Matz (1-0, 1.65 ERA) vs. RHP Nick Pivetta (1-1, 9.45 ERA)
- TV: NBCSP; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
- Wednesday, April 17, 2019: vs. New York Mets, 1:05 p.m.
- Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pa.
- RHP Zack Wheeler (1-1, 7.47 ERA) vs. RHP Jake Arrieta (2-1, 2.25 ERA)
- TV: NBCSP; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
