Bodog Beat

Tonight, the slumping Philadelphia Phillies will try to avoid their first seven-game home skid in nearly five years as they open a three-game set with the NL East-rival New York Mets.

Philadelphia (-145 faves) played like the defending World Series champions during its first 32 road games, going 23-9 while jumping out to a four-game lead over New York.

But now the Phillies are coming off a less than impressive 3-6 swing.

New York, 4-3 against Philadelphia this year, is hoping a breakout offensive performance from Thursday will continue.

The Mets recorded 15 hits in a 9-8, 10-inning win at Pittsburgh.

Livan Hernandez will face the Phillies for the first time in a Mets uniform. Hernandez is 0-2 in his last three starts, though his ERA is 3.00.

Philadelphia will give the ball to Rodrigo Lopez for his first major league start since July 26, 2007.

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