Can the Mets play the role of spoiler?

The Phillies, now in first place in the NL East, are thinking about the playoffs. The Mets, two games under .500 and 11.5 games back, are thinking about 2011.

But before the Mets start looking ahead, they can look to the present and play the spoiler role against their hated rivals.

Here are some facts to consider:

-- Yes, Roy Halladay, who is tonight's starter for the Phillies, is 17-10 with a 2.36 ERA this season. Yes, he's 5-2 with a 3.72 ERA against the Mets. But Halladay has been struggling lately. After a six-start winning streak, Halladay has lost two of his last three starts. One of those losses was against the Houston Astros. He's given up three earned runs twice and four earned runs once in his last three starts. Not horrible numbers by any stretch. But he gave up 10 hits against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Aug. 30. The key number is innings: Halladay has already thrown 221 innings. Since going six innings against the Chicago Cubs on July 18, Halladay has thrown at least seven innings in his next nine starts. He's on pace to throw the second highest amount of innings in his career (he threw 266 innings for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2003). Perhaps fatigue is becoming an issue?

-- The Mets are a much better team at home than on the road. The Mets are 39-25 at home. Philadelphia is just 36-33 on the road.

-- The Mets do get Jose Reyes back tonight. The should help.

-- Jenrry Mejia, tonight's starter for the Mets, has never faced the Phillies as a starter. In turn, the Philadelphia hitters are likely unfamiliar with his stuff.