The Mets play the second game of their three-game series against the Braves at Turner Field in Atlanta on Wednesday night at 7:10 PM. Zack Wheeler start for the Mets and will be opposed by Ervin Santana for the Braves.
Wheeler tossed six scoreless innings in his big-league debut against the Atlanta Braves last June 18 on Super Tuesday. He became the third pitcher in team history to earn a win while throwing 6.0 or more shutout innings in his major league debut.
Wheeler, who currently resides in Dallas, GA, also notched seven strikeouts that night, to tie for the fifth-most by a Mets pitcher in his major league debut.
Mets starting pitchers have recorded a 3.22 ERA (16 earned runs/44.2 innings) ranking 13th in the majors. The Mets bullpen has a 6.05 ERA (13 earned runs/19.1 innings) ranking 26th in the majors. After allowing 14 runs (13 earned) in the first four games, the pen has tossed 7.0 scoreless innings over its last three contests. Overall, the staff has posted 4.08 ERA (29 earned runs/64.0 innings) overall, ranking 17th in the majors.
New York swiped three stolen bases last night, the club’s first three steals of the season. The Mets swiped three bases in the final game of the 2013 season vs. Milwaukee. Eric Young, Jr., last year’s National League stolen base leader, stole his first two bases of the season. It was the 13th time in Young’s career he’s posted a multi-steal game.
Starting Lineup
- Eric Young Jr., LF
- Daniel Murphy, 2B
- David Wright, 3B
- Curtis Granderson, RF
- Lucas Duda, 1B
- Juan Lagares, CF
- Travis d’Arnaud, C
- Ruben Tejada, SS
- Zack Wheeler, RHP
Game Preview
The Mets look to take the series in Atlanta tonight as they play game two against the Braves. In the home opener for the Braves last night, the Mets won 4-0 thanks to great pitching from Colon and some timely hitting…from Tejada. (Shocking, I know, but I’m very happy to eat my words). Anyway last night was also the first night in a while (that I can remember at least) that 0 pitchers from the Mets farm system were used. Anyway, Wheeler gets start number 2 tonight as he matches up with Ervin Santana.
Zack Wheeler is coming off a quality start loss where he allowed 3 ER and 7 hits over 6.0 innings with 2 BB and 6 K. Last year Wheeler stepped up to the Braves three times and went 3-0 with a 2.89 ERA over 18.2 innings allowing 14 hits, 7 runs, 6 earned, 10 BB and 17 K’s. The Braves have the following numbers against Wheeler:
- Freeman 4-6, HR, 3 BB (.778 OBP)
- C Johnson 1-8, 2 K
- Simmons 1-6, 3 BB
- Heyward 0-6
- Gattis 0-6
- Uggla 2-5, 2B, HR
- Brave roster 10-53, 2B, 2 HR, .189 BA, .306 OBP, .321 SLG
The Mets get their first look at the new Braves pitcher, Ervin Santana, who has spent his career in the American League. However, we can make the statement more general, in that everyone gets to see the first look tonight at Ervin Santana as he makes his Braves debut and National League debut tonight. In spring training he pitched in two games totaling 5.0 innings and 3 ER. Last year for the Royals, his only season not with the Angels, he went 9-10 with a 3.24 ERA over 32 starts and 211.0 innings with 161 K’s. In one career start with the Mets he allowed 1 ER over 5 hits in 6.0 innings of work, picking up the win. The Mets have the following numbers on Santana:
- Granderson 11-40, 2 2B, 5 HR
- E Young 3-4
- Davis 0-2
- Lagares 0-3
- Murphy 1-3
- Mets Batters 17-59, 2 2B, 5 HR, .288 BA, .364 OBP, .576 SLG (Mostly Curtis)
Lets Go Mets!
