Series Preview: Mets vs. Pirates
Thanks to the Mets for beating Hudson and Smoltz…just what I needed to help make this absolute dreary Monday morning a little more tolerable…next…
The second place NY Mets (13-11), continue their home stand against the last place Pittsburgh Pirates (10-15) at Shea. The Mets are 5-5 over their last ten games while Pittsburgh is 3-7.
By the way, tonight is Jets Night at Shea, commemorating the Jets and their years playing at Shea Stadium…
Probable pitchers are…
Monday: Johan Santana, LHP (3-2, 3.12) vs. Ian Snell, RHP (2-1, 4.45)
Tuesday: Oliver Perez, LHP (2-1, 3.62) vs. Tom Gorzelanny, LHP (1-3, 8.46)
Wednesday: Mike Pelfrey, RHP (2-1, 4.43) vs. Zach Duke, LHP (0-2, 5.34)
It’s actually extremely hard to write about Johan Santana every time he starts, what am I supposed to say? He’s awesome? Obviously. Ian Snell is a 26 year old who had a break-out year in 2007 with a 3.76 ERA, but the Mets have had his number. Let’s hope that continues. However, it may not have to because Johan Santana is awesome, obviously.
Tom Gorzelanny also had a break-out year in 2007 with a 3.88 ERA. Yet the Mets have also had his number, and in 2008 is having control problems walking 22 in 22 innings. Oliver Perez isn’t the epitome of control but if he can hold it together on Tuesday the Mets should be able to walk, no pun intended, through the game.
Pelfrey looks to rebound after a couple of shaky starts against Zack Duke. Duke doesn’t walk many batters nor does he strike them out. The Mets need to play aggressive here and swing away as Duke throws the ball in the zone.
Mets Pen – 3.49 ERA, 1.26 WHIPPirates Pen – 4.78 ERA, 1.54 WHIP
Statistically, the Pirates have the worst bullpen in the National League.
Offensively...
Mets: .256 BA, 113 R, .341 OBP, .380 SLG, 22 SB (NL Ranks: 8th, 10th, 6th, 12th, 3rd)
Pirates: .246 BA, 111 R, .312 OBP, .373 SLG, 8 SB (NL Ranks: 11th, 11th, 11th, 13th, 13th)
Notable Mets Out – Pedro Martinez, El Duque, Moises Alou, Ramon Castro, Brian Schneider
Notable Pirates Out – Jack Wilson, Chris Duffy
Alou and Schneider could be back for this series but are still awaiting final decisions.
Prediction: The Pirates can’t pitch, hit, or run…at least they are healthy…Mets Sweep.
Comments
I agree, definatly SHOULD be a sweep, thats what a team like the Mets should do to a team like the Pirates.
Posted by: Vegas Chris | April 28, 2008 11:06 AM
Maybe the Mets can make a trade for Nady in the middle of one of these games. Less traveling for everyone involved.
Trade Delgado while he's hot.
Got blood?
Posted by: count dracula | April 28, 2008 11:34 AM
Lets wait and see if Delgado remains hot. If he does he'll be way more valuable to the team than Nady would be.
Posted by: count chocula | April 28, 2008 11:47 AM
Let's not get crazy. Delgado had been slumping for approximately 623 at-bats, he's been hot now for 3. It would be a godsend if the Pirates would take Delgado off our hands. But right now I just don't see the Pirates wanting to make a trade of Nady for Delgado.
We'll have to think of another way to trick Nady into crossing the threshold of his own freewill.
Posted by: count dracula | April 28, 2008 11:58 AM