Taijuan Walker starts, Brandon Nimmo returns as Mets begin series with Phillies at 7:10 p.m. on SNY

The Mets (72-75) begin a three-game series with the Philadelphia Phillies (74-72) Friday from Citi Field at 7:10 p.m. on SNY.

Mets Notes

• The Mets are riding a three-game losing streak, and sit 5.5 GB in the NL East and 5 GB in the NL Wild Card race.
  
• OF Brandon Nimmo has been activated off the IL and will start in center field. Reliever Jake Reed has been optioned to Triple-A Syracuse.
• RHP Jordan Yamamoto has been reinstated from the 60-Day IL and optioned to Triple-A Syracuse. LHP Thomas Szapucki has been recalled from Triple-A Syracuse and placed on the 60-Day IL with ulnar nerve transposition surgery.

Who is starting for the Mets?

RHP Taijuan Walker (7-9, 4.29 ERA), who is coming off an interesting outing his last time on the bump. Walker pitched for the Mets in the Subway Series game with the Yankees that fell on the 20th anniversary of 9/11. 

Walker allowed five earned runs on six hits -- including three home runs. But he also struck out eight while walking just one in six innings of work. The 8-7 loss was quite the shootout, so it's fair to say the emotions of the day were definitely a factor in everyone's performance.

Who is starting for the Cardinals?

RHP Zack Wheeler (13-9, 2.86 ERA). who picked up his third straight winning decision in his last outing.

Wheeler threw 6.2 innings of one earned run, five hit ball to go with two walks and eight strikeouts. The Phillies beat the Colorado Rockies, 6-1.

Upcoming schedule

The Mets and Phillies continue their series at Citi Field on Saturday at 7:15 p.m.

Carlos Carrasco and Aaron Nola will get the respective starts.