Phillies-Mets preview

7:10 Citi Field, New York. TV: Comcast SportsNet. Radio: WPHT (1210-AM); WUBA (1480-AM) Spanish.

Phillies RHP Joe Blanton (1-2, 5.06) vs. Mets LHP Hisanori Takahashi (3-1, 2.53)

Raul Ibanez: The veteran leftfielder went 2-for-3 against knuckleballer R.A. Dickey last night, 2 days after hitting an RBI double in a loss to the Red Sox.

Carlos Ruiz: Ruiz entered last night with one hit in his previous 17 at-bats and hit into a doubleplay and struck out in his first two at-bats against Dickey. He did single in the sixth.

Blanton vs. the late innings: Of the 13 runs Blanton has allowed this season, 10 of them have come in the sixth or seventh inning, including three in the sixth against the Cubs in his last start.

Takahashi vs. Chase Utley, Raul Ibaenz and Ryan Howard: Takahashi, a 35-year-old Japanese import in his first season in the majors, pitched six scoreless innings last week against the Yankees, his first start after 15 relief appearances. Lefties are hitting only .219 against him, with 15 strikeouts in 32 at-bats.

Rod Barajas vs. Phillies: The Phillies' former catcher is 9-for-17 with four home runs and 10 RBI against his old team over the last three seasons.

Tomorrow at Mets: Phillies LHP Cole Hamels (5-2, 3.92) vs. Mets RHP Mike Pelfrey (6-1, 3.86)

Friday at Marlins: Phillies RHP Kyle Kendrick (2-2, 5.66) vs. Marlins RHP Chris Volstad (3-5, 4.31)

Saturday at Marlins: Phillies RHP Roy Halladay (6-3, 2.22) vs. Marlins RHP Josh Johnson (5-1, 2.43)