The Mets will be hoping to create as much distance as possible between themselves the Phillies in the NL East tonight when the teams open a pivotal three-game set at Shea Stadium. Colleague Joel Sherman writes that things are breaking right for a series charge by Jerry Manuel‘s club.

In the notebook, the Mets are hoping that Ryan Church‘s grand slam will spark a turnaround by the oft-injured right fielder. There are also items on Billy Wagner, Luis Ayala and the Phillies’ Cole Hamels.