The Mets look to hit the breaks tonight as they play the Nationals to work their way back to .500. The Mets are now on a four game slide that is so incredibly frustrating. The Mets will be sending their one consistent starter to the mound today, which of course is Johan Santana who has been the opposite of every other pitcher in the Mets rotation and they will have to face Scott Olsen tonight.
Santana is 2-1 on the year with 19.2 IP with 5 BB and 27 K. The most amazing number so far though has been his 29 K’s. Seriously, he is on fire. Last year against the Marlins he went 3-0, with a 2.57 ERA over 21.0 IP, 5 BB, and 18 K. The Mets need Santana right now to stop this slide and just set this team back on the right track. Here are the stats the Marlins have put up on Santana over their careers:
Belliard 4-23, 7 K
Zimmerman 4-13, HR
Willingham 2-8, 2B, HR
Kearns 2-9, 2 2B
The player I am most worried about is Willingham. He is one of those guys who loves to play against the Mets because he gets into all sorts of key situations and always performs. If the Mets can stay out of those situations tonight, then the Mets will be able to reverse their fortunes, of course, that is contingent on the Mets scoring some runs.
The Mets will have to face Olsen who has been struggling so far this year. He is 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA as he has given up 15 runs in 15 innings, he walked 7, and struck out 10. Last year in five games he was 0-3 against the Mets over 28.0 innings while he allowed 19 runs (6.11 ERA) while walking 7 and striking out 18. Here are the numbers the Mets have put up on Olsen:
Reyes 14-35, 4 2B, 3B, HR, 5 RBI
Beltran 13-30, 3 2B, 4 HR, 11 RBI
Wright 9-32, 4 2B, 3 HR
Delgado 7-29, 2B, HR
Castillo 3-10, HR
The Mets have had pretty lack luster power hitting, which is one of the reasons they have not been scoring runs in bunches. Hopefully if the Mets can turn it on tonight and give themselves a boost they will start to remember how to win. Look for an aggressive offense tonight. Lets Go Mets! Stop the streak! Beat the Nats!
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Time to get some runs for JS!