Mets(courtesy of mlb.com)
Perhaps it takes an uncharacteristic streak to appreciate how good Johan Santana has been over the past few years. Santana, the Mets’ ace, is in the middle of a stretch that has seen him go winless in three consecutive starts. The southpaw didn’t go through any skids like that last season, and one must look back to July 2008 to find a streak of four starts without a win.
That’s just how dominant Santana has been since joining the Mets before the 2008 campaign, and he’ll look to get back on track Tuesday against a familiar opponent. And given his history, even that might be tougher than it appears. Santana has made eight career starts against the Braves, and he’s logged a 1-5 record with a 2.21 ERA against Atlanta.
Santana has worked at least six innings in six of his first eight outings, and if you removed the worst start of his season — a 10-run debacle against the Phillies — his ERA would drop significantly (from 3.88 to 2.20). The Braves will counter with right-handed reliever Kris Medlen, who will be getting his second start in place of injured rotation member Jair Jurrjens.
And if Santana is going through a strange stretch, you could say the same thing about his entire team. Prior to Mike Pelfrey‘s victory in Monday’s series opener, the Mets had gone 15 games without a win from their starting rotation. That was the team’s longest skid of that nature since 1982, and New York’s starting pitchers had gone 0-6 with a 6.98 ERA over that span.
Now the Mets just need to worry about some other conspicuous hazards. They are 4-0 against the Braves this year, but have won the season series against Atlanta just once since 1998. The Mets are also tied for the fewest road wins (five) in the Major Leagues, and they’ve lost all five road series this season. Additionally, the Mets have hit 13 home runs on the road and allowed 26.
The Mets broke a five-game losing streak on Monday night, and they’ll need some production from the middle of their offense to get another victory. Left fielder Jason Bay has an 11-game hit streak going, and he’s batted .372 (16-for-43) with seven RBIs over that span. The Mets have also gotten offense from Rod Barajas, who has 13 runs scored and 16 RBIs in his past 19 games.
Barajas is hitting .323 (21-for-65) over that span, lifting his average to .273 for the season. Leadoff man Jose Reyes has gone cold, batting .203 (14-for-69) through his first 16 games in May. Third baseman David Wright has more than half (seven) of his team’s home runs on the road, but he’s also struck out at least once in each of his past 14 games.
Lineup
Jose Reyes, SS
Luis Castillo, 2B
Chris Carter, LF
David Wright, 3B
Ike Davis, 1B
Rod Barajas, C
Angel Pagan, CF
Jeff Francoeur, RF
Johan Santana, LHP
Braves(courtesy of mlb.com)
The Braves, who have won five of their past seven games, will find themselves trying to exploit one key statistical disparity in Tuesday’s game. Atlanta’s hitters lead the Major Leagues in walks (177), while Mets pitchers have issued more free passes (175) than any other team. Chipper Jones, Atlanta’s veteran run producer, is fourth in the Majors with 27 walks.
Free-agent acquisition Troy Glaus went hitless on Monday, but he’s been his team’s hottest hitter in recent weeks. The third baseman has batted .351 (27-for-77) in his last 21 games, springing for three home runs, 14 walks and 17 RBIs. Glaus has managed to put together 12 multi-hit games this season, and five of them have come in his last eight starts.
Lineup
Martin Prado, 2B
Jason Heyward, RF
Chipper Jones, 3B
Troy Glaus, 1B
Brian McCann, C
Yunel Escobar, SS
Melky Cabrera, LF
Nate McLouth, CF
Kris Medlen, RHP
PLAY BALL
