The New York Mets and St. Louis Cardinals continue their four-game series on Tuesday after a big extra-inning win for the Amazins at Citi Field. Jon Niese (3-3, 2.49 ERA) opposes right-hander Michael Wacha (5-0, 2.06) at 7:10 PM.
Jonathon Niese has allowed one earned run or fewer in five of his seven starts this season and six of his last eight starts dating to his final start of 2014.
Kevin Plawecki had been due to catch today, but Terry Collins went to Anthony Recker after last night’s game went 14 innings.
The Mets designated Kirk Nieuwenhuis for assignment to clear the roster spot for the promotion of lefty-hitting outfielder Darrell Ceciliani from Triple-A Las Vegas. He will wear uniform No. 1.
Mets Starting Lineup
- Curtis Granderson – RF
- Eric Campbell – 3B
- Lucas Duda – 1B
- Michael Cuddyer – LF
- Daniel Murphy – 2B
- Wilmer Flores – SS
- Anthony Recker – C
- Jonathon Niese – LHP
- Juan Lagares – CF
The Mets got a great start from Matt Harvey last night, but that didn’t matter as the offense was at a trickle and the game ended up going 14 innings with the Mets winning on a fielder’s choice via John Mayberry. The story for both sides last night was the starting and relief pitching. The key for tonight’s starters will be to go deep to give the pen a break as they still have three more games in the series.
Jon Niese looks to rebound tonight from last start where he allowed 6 ER over 6.1 innings in a game the Mets eventually lost 6-5. Before that start, Jon pitched 14.0 innings allowing 3 runs, 1 earned. On the season as a whole he is 3-3 with a 2.49 ERA. His WHIP is still 1.385, which I think tells more of the story for Niese right now than his ERA. In two starts against the Cardinals last year he pitched 12.2 innings with a 2.84 ERA and a 1-1 record. The Cardinals have the following numbers against Niese:
- Heyward 9-28, 2 2B, 2 HR
- Molina 6-16, 2B, HR
- Holliday 3-15, 2B
- Reynolds 3-9, HR
- Bourjos 3-9
- Peralta 3-8, 2B
- Carpenter 4-7, 2 2B
You know what an offense like the Mets really need? They need to face Michael Wacha. (It is really difficult to convey sarcasm in print, they don’t need to face someone like Wacha). Wacha is 5-0 over 7 games and 43.2 innings with a 2.06 ERA. He has been even better in May with a 1-0 record over 17.2 innings and a 1.53 ERA. In two starts against the Mets last year he was 1-1 over 10.0 innings with a 2.70 ERA. The Mets have the following numbers against Wacha:
- Duda 1-5, 2B
- Murphy 2-8
- Granderson 2-6, 2B
- Tejada 0-4
- Recker 0-2
Lets Go Mets!
