The 10-10 Mets look to get back up over .500 as they they continue their series against the Cardinals tonight at Citi Field. Jon Niese (0-2, 2.84 ERA) opposes right-hander Michael Wacha (2-1, 1.73) in what should be a solid 7:10 PM matchup.
Jon Niese is 0-2 with a 2.84 ERA since returning from the Disabled List on April 6. There are only three pitchers in the majors with a better ERA that haven’t earned a victory yet (minimum three starts): A.J. Burnett, Jeff Samardzija and Josh Beckett.
Over the last eight games, the starters have posted a 1.98 ERA (11 earned runs/50.0 innings). The starters have compiled 13 quality starts this year, tied for the fourth-most in the majors.
At the conclusion of this series the Mets will have played 22 games. New York will have faced three separate teams that went to the postseason in 2013 and a combined 12 games vs. those squads.
Kirk Nieuwenhuis will be batting leadoff and playing centerfield tonight.
Starting Lineup
- Kirk Nieuwenhuis – CF
- Curtis Granderson – RF
- David Wright – 3B
- Daniel Murphy – 2B
- Chris Young – LF
- Lucas Duda – 1B
- Travis d’Arnaud – C
- Ruben Tejada – SS
- Jon Niese – RHP
Game Preview
The Mets dropped the second game of the series last night, but to be fair Adam Wainwright was full-Wainwright last night. Anyway, the Mets get to put last night behind them as they take on Wacha tonight with an opportunity to guarantee a series split with a win. On the hill for the Mets will be Jon Niese.
Niese has not won a start this season but over his first three starts he has a 2.84 ERA over 19.0 innings while walking 5 and striking out 16. Last year he made one start against the Cards where he pitched 7.1 innings allowing 6 hits and 2 runs while walking 2 and striking out 3. The Cards have the following numbers against the Mets:
- Molina 3-11
- Holliday 2-10
- Jay 3-8, 2B
- Craig 1-5, 2B
- Ellis 4-6
- Carpenter 1-3, 2B
Wacha will be making start #5 tonight. On the season he is 2-1 with a 1.73 ERA over 4 starts and 26.0 innings with 3 walks and 25 strikeouts. His last two starts are a little more human as he has allowed 6 runs, 4 earned over 13.1 innings with a 2.71 ERA. Last year he picked up the win against the Mets pitching 6.0 innings, allowing 5 hits and 2 earned runs while walking 3 and striking out 4. The Mets have the following numbers against Wacha:
- Duda 0-2
- Murphy 1-3
- Quintanilla 1-3, HR
- Wright 0-2
- Nieuwenhuis 0-2
Lets Go Mets!
