Holmes Draws Start as Mets Seek Breakthrough in Crucial Series at Phillies

Clay Holmes will start Game 3 on Wednesday night as the New York Mets try to halt a Philadelphia Phillies club that has controlled the National League East and the season series between the teams.

The Mets entered the four-game series on the road trailing the red-hot Phillies in the division and clinging to the final NL wild-card spot. Philadelphia is scheduled to hand the ball to Christopher Sánchez in Wednesday’s matchup, with the Phillies having outsized success against New York this year.

Philadelphia has dominated the season series, outscoring the Mets 31-17, and took Tuesday’s meeting 9-3. New York’s offense has sputtered at a critical point in the season: the Mets have managed just eight runs combined in their last four losses, a stretch that complicates matters for a pitching staff that has received limited run support.

Those offensive trends have particular relevance for Holmes, who is 1-7 this season in games in which the Mets score two runs or fewer. By contrast, Holmes has been 10-0 in starts when New York has scored three or more runs, underscoring how much the club’s margin for error is tied to its lineup production.

For bettors, FanDuel Sportsbook is offering a welcome promotion to new customers on the Mets-Phillies matchup: bet $5 and receive $300 in bonus bets if the initial wager wins. No promo code is required for first-time users; FanDuel’s sign-up process requires customers to select their state, provide account details, make a deposit and place the qualifying wager. The offer is available to new customers 21 and older in select states, including AZ, CO, CT, DC, IL, TN, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, VA, VT, WV and WY. Full terms and conditions apply.

The series carries postseason implications for both clubs. The Phillies have been among Major League Baseball’s more consistent teams over recent weeks, while the Mets are fighting to maintain their tenuous position in the wild-card race. Sánchez’s start for Philadelphia presents an opportunity for the Phillies to secure the season series, while New York will look to generate more offense to give Holmes the run support he has lacked in several recent outings.

Gambling resources and responsible-play information appear with the promotion: offers are limited to new players only, and those with gambling problems are directed to call 1-800-GAMBLER. The clubs will meet again later in the series as both teams pursue advantages in the standings with the regular season winding toward its final weeks.