A Little Home Cooking

The Mets are currently on a four game losing streak, and have just been swept by the first place Cardinals. The Mets see themselves a mere two games up in the loss column above the last place Nationals in the NL East. We’re currently watching a group of players who each are putting up solid numbers, but are failing to produce as a team. Last week, the Mets opened Citi Field and christened her with a 3-3 record so far. The first week at Citi Field was a learning experience for the fans and players alike. Every fan that walked in was bewildered at how un-Shea the ballpark is. The players needed to start getting accustomed to how Citi plays with all of the new angles, heights and airstreams.

The Mets return to Citi Field this weekend to face the 3-11 Nationals. I hope that the newness of Citi Field has worn off and the Mets feel more at home than last week, because they need some home cooking like nobody’s business. And the Nats should prove to be a tasty meal. In 2008, Mets batters put up some crooked numbers against the Nationals, especially Beltran and Wright who each had 6 doubles against Washington pitching. Carlos Delgado struggled when facing them, hitting just .178 against Washington last year. Delgado has hit the ground running this year though, and Mets fans hope to see his continued hunger for hitting bombs at Citi Field this weekend.

Last year, Mets pitching faired well when facing Washington.  Santana and Pelfrey posted up good numbers against Washington last year with ERAs of 2.57 and 2.36 respectively. Lucky for the Mets that these two lead the charge this weekend on Friday and Saturday. Sunday will feature Oliver Perez (or Oliver Hyde) who posted an 8.62 ERA against the Nationals last year.

The Mets will face transplanted Marlin, Scott Olsen on Friday who has an 0-2 record on the year with a 9.00 ERA. On Saturday, Pelfrey faces up against Daniel Cabrera, who has an ERA of 4.50, giving up just 3 runs over his last 10 innings. Sunday, Oliver Perez will have his hands full, facing up against the young prospect Jordan Zimmerman who is showing that he has good stuff with a 1-0 record and an ERA of 3.00 on the season.

To those fans going out to Citi Field this weekend: As you’re munching on a burger from the Shake Shack or some delicious pulled pork from Blue Smoke, just remember that the players need some home cooking too. So cheer them on and give them a hearty homecoming.

LGM