Tonight at 7:10, the Mets begin their four-game set against the Giants…
The Mets return home after losing a best-of-three series to the Braves this week. The series started off on a high note-the only one of the series- with the Mets winning 6-1 on Monday. Dillon Gee dominated the Braves, allowing just one run on four hits. He finished up after seven innings. Ike Davis had a big three-run homer that broke a tie game, making the score 4-1 Mets. The Mets scored on a wild pitch in the seventh, making the game 5-1. Finally, Jason Bay finished up the game with a solo shot in the ninth.
The second and third games were far from pretty. In the second game, Johan Santana had the worst start of his career. He went just 1.1 innings, allowing six runs and throwing 55 pitches. The Braves made him work due to him falling behind early. Johan only threw first pitch strikes to four of 11 batters in his abbreviated outing. The Mets would go on to lose 9-3.
The weather in Atlanta had a big impact on the rubber match of the series. In the early innings, Jair Jurrjens struggled, and R.A. Dickey was stellar. In the warm, humid air in northern Georgia, Dickey’s knuckleball had more movement than I’d ever seen. Braves hitters didn’t have a chance. Then, the rain came and wow did it pour. Dickey was thrown off by the rain, his knuckleball losing its movement, causeing him to struggle. He gave up hit after hit, including three home runs. He ended the day with a loss after giving up eight runs in what would end in a 14-6 loss for the Mets.
The Giants, on the other hand, are coming in to Queens off a series win against the Phillies. The highlight of the series was Wednesday’s pitching duel between Cliff Lee and Matt Cain. Both held each other’s team scoreless for nine innings. Cain left the game after nine, but Lee stayed in- yes, a manager sent a pitcher out for a tenth inning of work. Lee pitched a scoreless tenth, and the Phillies scored in the eleventh to win the game. Cain and Lee both pitched gems, but neither got a win.
Here are the pitching matchups for the series:
Game 1- Tonight 7:10
Jon Niese- Since signing his five-year extension, Jon Niese has been stellar. He is 2-0 on the season with a 2.13 ERA in 12.2 innings pitched. Niese threw seven innings, allowing one run on six hits in his only start against the Giants in his career.
Barry Zito- Zito, considered a failure since signing with the Giants, has surprised everyone this season. He pitched a shutout in his first start of the season,and followed up with another impressive outing his last start. Zito pitched seven innings against the Pirates on April 14, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits while striking out four. Zito is 3-2 with a 3.31 ERA in six career starts against the Mets.
Game 2- Saturday 1:10
Mike Pelfrey- Pelfrey, to everyone’s surprise, has also pitched well this season. After allowing three runs on ten hits in his first start, Pelfrey allowed just one in six innings against the Phillies in his last outing.
Ryan Vogelsong- Vogelsong burst onto the scene last year for the Giants, earning an All-Star selection. He finished the season eleventh in the Cy Young Award voting, ending the year with a 13-7 record to go along with a 2.71 ERA. In his only start this season, he allowed two runs in 6.1 innings.
Game 3- Sunday 1:10
Dillon Gee-Gee, so far, has continued the success he had last season, pitching two decent games so far this season. The last one, on Monday against the Braves, he lasted seven innings and allowed just one run.
Tim Lincecum- “The Freak” has struggled more than he ever has so far this season for the Giants. In each of his three starts, he has allowed at least five runs. So far, he is 0-2 on the season with a 10.54 ERA on the season.
Game 4- Monday 7:10
Johan Santana- Coming off the worst outing of his career, Johan will look to brush back injury concerns against the Giants in the final game of the series.Johan was atrocious in Atlanta, which raised worries about his health. However, all signs still point to him starting the game.
Madison Bumgarner- Bumgarner, a young arm with Cy Young potential, recently signed an extension with the Giants, which could end up being seven years. The deal is very similar to the one Niese signed. Bumgarner allowed two runs in six innings in his last start against the Phillies.
Here are some more random notes:
– I’m excited to see Kirk Nieuwenhuis get some more at-bats from the leadoff spot. So far, he has impressed, showing he can do a little bit of everything. He needs to play well in the coming weeks to keep his job when Andres Torres returns.
– I’m really hoping Johan bounces back, just to get his last start, a big distraction, out of everyone’s minds. He needs to get ahead early, throwing first pitch strikes. If he doesn’t he falls into a groove and becomes predictable.
–There has been so much talk about Tim Lincecum’s struggles this year. I’m really want to see what all the buzz is about.
–Ruben Tejada is awesome.
29 comments
Stick
4/20/2012-9:52am at 9:52 am (UTC -4)
big series here. Would be nice to see the Mets playing something closer to crisp, clean BB (as opposed to the mess the last 2 games in Atlanta!)
Not expecting a lot of runs, though the Giants pitching (without Cain) just doesn’t look as scary as I thought it would.
Hopefully a couple of the cold bats break out (yes, looking at you Lucas). he has gotten some hits lately, but I would love to see him get a key hit in a big spot, to get him jump started. Seems like a guy that needs a positivie to get comfortable.
and finally, is Kirk staying at leadoff with Tejada dropping down? if so, assuming he handles it, even less reason torres should ever start again.
srt
4/20/2012-10:00am at 10:00 am (UTC -4)
Pelfrey vs. Zito would have been an interesting match-up. Each capable of imploding at a moments notice.
Looks like the Giants haven’t been scoring many runs, which is no surprise.
Hopefully with the amount of guys we’re getting on base, we’ll actually get a few home this series – which has been a problem.
Didn’t realize this was a 4 game series.
Hoping the pitching we had the first 2 times through the rotation is the pitching we see this series.
Stick
4/20/2012-10:30am at 10:30 am (UTC -4)
Giving away Tom Seaver bobble heads on Sunday. If I was closer by, I might have to go for that.
Of course, for the $ it costs to get there (at least $55 dollars just on gas, tolls and parking, before even getting a ticket or a $8 beer (or 2)), I could just get one heck of a nice bobblehead off the internet! Including one from the game, since they always show up on Ebay shortly afterwards.
Ceetar
4/20/2012-11:05am at 11:05 am (UTC -4)
I’ll be there, if it’s not canceled.
Stick
4/20/2012-11:22am at 11:22 am (UTC -4)
wanna steal an extra bobble head and sell it to me?
gategem
4/20/2012-10:53am at 10:53 am (UTC -4)
I’m waiting for the Lucas Duda bobble head doll. Its distinguishing characteristic is whenever the head moves the doll falls over.
srt
4/20/2012-11:00am at 11:00 am (UTC -4)
TRS: Did you see the Yankees signed one of your favorite pitchers? That’s right…Figgy joining the minor league Yanks.
I can’t imagine that’s anything other than minor league depth. If you see Figgy on the mound for the Yankees this season, something went really wrong for them….
trs86
4/20/2012-11:07am at 11:07 am (UTC -4)
Yeah I heard that this morning. You know as a guy you can stash in AAA he’s not a bad guy. I was never against him being in AAA, just as a viable option in the majors. He’s most likely the same as Schwinden or however you spell it.
srt
4/20/2012-11:14am at 11:14 am (UTC -4)
Saw an article on this yesterday – can’t remember where. I talked about his attitude problem. Then went on to say he should have made the Mets 2010 rotation out of the gate so he’s entitled to that attitude.
Can’t even remember if that was a Mets sight I read that on but if you’re counting on Figgy as part of your rotation going in, you’ve already got problems.
Prismo
4/20/2012-11:20am at 11:20 am (UTC -4)
Figgy made a rotation last year out of the gate, right? Was it the Astros? I’m not sure (and don’t feel like looking up Figgy stats). But I think he completely bombed.
Prismo
4/20/2012-11:10am at 11:10 am (UTC -4)
I am TELLING you guys we will sorely miss Torres’ .643 OPS from last season if we bench him.
Wait…no, that doesn’t make sense.
Well how about this – he is still young and can get back to his prime numbers! Let me just check his age…baseball reference…Andres Torres…age..THIRTY FOUR!? 34!!!!! Okay okay no, he’s old and in decline.
But there must be a reason Terry Collins wants to start Torres instead of Kirk. Let’s think…it’s not the production, it’s not the development potential, what else might influence Mets baseball moves…
Oh oh oh! I got it, MONEY. Let’s see and…AH! Torres is making $2.7MM this season. Ahhh now it makes sense, that’s why he gets the starting job, because he makes the most. Duh.
Great job Mets.
trs86
4/20/2012-11:14am at 11:14 am (UTC -4)
Or it could just be something to either A) Take pressure off of Kirk or B) Add pressure to Kirk… LOL.
Prismo
4/20/2012-11:16am at 11:16 am (UTC -4)
Does Kirk look like the kind of guy who gives a **** about pressure?
Stick
4/20/2012-11:28am at 11:28 am (UTC -4)
No. But he does have that SoCal vibe like today is one of his favorite “holidays”
Stick
4/20/2012-11:27am at 11:27 am (UTC -4)
Terry says a lot of things. many of them don’t end up happening. So either there is an ulterior motive, or he is just an old guy that babbles too much!
In this case, I have no clue why he said what he did when he did, but I would guarantee it was written on tissue paper, and what Kirk does over the next 2-4 weeks will make the decision. Assuming of course Torres ever actually makes it back.
But, I still can’t believe he was ever brought in with the intent of being a LT answer (and LT being all season here) at CF. He really is a good 4th OF option for this team.
My prediction? Kirk is not going anywhere.
trs86
4/20/2012-11:37am at 11:37 am (UTC -4)
Not to mention that the next day he basically reversed his stance.
Prismo
4/20/2012-11:43am at 11:43 am (UTC -4)
So you’re both saying Terry is senile and Wally Backman should be the coach?
trs86
4/20/2012-11:47am at 11:47 am (UTC -4)
From senile to batshit crazy? No thanks.
srt
4/20/2012-12:29pm at 12:29 pm (UTC -4)
hahaha
TC just needs to be a little more cautious on what he says to the media. Not sure he realizes yet what may be just thoughts in his head at the time – if he verbalizes them the media pounces right on it.
No need for TC to be making any statements right now about what happens to Kirk when Torres returns. From what I’m reading that’s a while yet and anything can happen between now and then.
trs86
4/20/2012-12:34pm at 12:34 pm (UTC -4)
Someone should tell the Legend of Bobby V that.
ConnorUAF
4/20/2012-11:30am at 11:30 am (UTC -4)
The Mets have a few games they can win for sure in this series- game 1 and game 2. If Lincecum doesn’t “find it,” then they also have a shot at game 3. Monday’s game will be tough with Bumgarner pitching, but we’ll see what happens.
srt
4/20/2012-12:30pm at 12:30 pm (UTC -4)
Daniel Herrera out for the year with Tommy John surgery.
Those are becoming as coming to young pitchers as a hang nail.
trs86
4/20/2012-12:35pm at 12:35 pm (UTC -4)
I honestly think the err on the side of caution with those guys. Ah, little elbow pain? TJ for you buddy.
srt
4/20/2012-1:01pm at 1:01 pm (UTC -4)
From what I’m reading it did start out with a little elbow pain. They found a tear though so that must be the defining factor. You tear it, you fix it.
Stick
4/20/2012-12:36pm at 12:36 pm (UTC -4)
not a big deal, just a little hit to the depth chart, though only at LOOGY. Odds are we were never seeing him in NY this year anyway.
trs86
4/20/2012-12:38pm at 12:38 pm (UTC -4)
He’s young anyway. Just get it out of the way. Perhaps like the NBA is toying with the idea of increasing the college time to 3 years maybe MLB should institute the TJ rule? All pitchers must have the surgery at 19 years old to be eligible for a contract. LOL. Would certainly save the teams some money.
gategem
4/20/2012-2:09pm at 2:09 pm (UTC -4)
I guess you’re not a fan of one and done. I believe the entire Kentucky starting five filed for the draft.
Hazmet
4/20/2012-12:36pm at 12:36 pm (UTC -4)
His hair put too much stress on his elbow. ;P
You killed me with that “la la la comment on the other post” lol. Good points made too.
srt
4/20/2012-1:00pm at 1:00 pm (UTC -4)
Hahahaha.