Johan Out For Redemption as Mets Look To Complete Sweep Of Rays

Starting Lineup

1. Kirk Nieuwenhuis – CF
2. Jordany Valdespin – DH
3. David Wright – 3B
4. Lucas Duda – RF
5. Ike Davis – 1B
6. Daniel Murphy – 2B
7. Jason Bay – LF
8. Josh Thole – C
9. Omar Quintanilla – SS

The Mets go for the three game sweep tonight as they take on the Rays in Tampa. Last night was another tremendous night for this team as Dickey absolutely crushed the Rays and made a strong case to be the National League All-Star starter. In addition to strong pitching, all of the Mets struggling hitters came through as the Mets made another huge dent in their run differential. Today Johan Santana looks to bounce back as he takes on Jeremy Hellickson.

Santana’s first start since coming off of the no-hitter was a rough one as he allowed 6 ER over 5 innings of work. On the season Santana has made 12 starts with a 2.96 ERA over 73.0 innings of work. Before his last rough outing, Johan threw back to back complete game shutouts. In his career he is 3-3 over 68.2 innings of work against the Rays with a 2.75 ERA and a 1.85 ERA over 24.1 innings at Tampa. The Rays have the following numbers against Santana:

Matsui 12-29, 3 2B, 2 HR
Pena 8-26, 2B, 3 HR
Upton 1-7
Zobrist 0-9
Molina 2-8, HR

The Mets bats look to continue their rival in Tampa as they take on Jeremy Hellickson. Hellickson is 4-2 over 12 starts this season and 74.2 innings with a 2.65 ERA. He has been more or less on his season numbers in his last four starts as he has pitched 26.0 innings with a 2.42 ERA. Being a young starter, he hasn’t made any starts against the Mets, nor does he have any numbers against any current Mets.

Let’s Go Mets!

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