Very different summers for Phillies, Mets

It looked like we were in for another back-and-forth season between the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets.

The defending champs, who overcame leads late in the last two seasons, held a 1/2 games lead over the Mets. The date was June 1 and the Phillies stood at 28-20 and the Mets were 28-21.

Things have been very different since.

The Mets went 21-31 from June 1 through July, while the Phillies went 31-22 during the same time period. Amazingly, in two months the Phillies increased their lead over the Mets to 10.5 games.

Both teams struggled in June - Mets went 10-18 and Phillies went 11-16.

The Phillies used a sizziling July to jump out to a bi lead in the division, while injuries and poor play have dropped the Mets into fourth place.

Not much of a race between the two rivals this season.