Tonight, the Mets begin a four-game series with the defending champion Cardinals.
The Cardinals have been continuing on last year’s success, and are currently second in the NL Central at 27-24. Despite losing Albert Pujols to the Angels this offseason, the lineup hasn’t missed a beat. They are second in the majors in runs, batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage. The offense has been led by newcomer Carlos Beltran, who will be returning to Citi Field tonight for the first time. Beltran has been raking lately, hitting .326 with ten homers in May alone.
The pitching staff has also held their own, with Lance Lynn surprising everyone this season, starting 8-1. The Cards are 13th in baseball in ERA, 14th in WHIP, and ninth in quality starts.
Here are the pitching matchups for the series:
Game 1: Tonight 7:10
Johan Santana (2-2, 2.75 ERA) vs. Adam Wainwright (4-5, 4.45 ERA)
Game 2: Saturday 4:10
R.A. Dickey (7-1, 3.06 ERA) vs. Lance Lynn (8-1, 2.54 ERA)
Game 3: Sunday 8:05
Jonathon Niese (3-2, 4.55 ERA) vs. Jake Westbrook (4-4, 3.84 ERA)
Game 4: Monday 1:10
Jeremy Hefner (1-2, 5.60 ERA) vs. Kyle Lohse (5-1, 3.36 ERA)
More notes…
– John Franco will be inducted into the Mets Hall of Fame before Sunday night’s game, which will be an ESPN game as well (that’s new!).
– Josh Thole will return tonight to begin the series. In case you missed it, the Mets DFA’d Chris Schwinden and sent down Rob Johnson. The Mets also called up Elvin Ramirez.
–It’s great to see Carlos Beltran still playing well, even if it’s for a team in the same league. ..
6 comments
Paul Festa
6/1/2012-5:38pm at 5:38 pm (UTC -4)
7-1 R.A. vs 8-1 Lance Lynn on Saturday. Great matchup – something’s got to give!
gategem
6/1/2012-6:05pm at 6:05 pm (UTC -4)
Don’t the Cardinals have a number of people on the DL?
ConnorUAF
6/1/2012-6:52pm at 6:52 pm (UTC -4)
Berkman, Jay, Schumaker
Stick
6/1/2012-6:15pm at 6:15 pm (UTC -4)
hope they get this one in. Looks like the rain might hold off until after the game. Would suck to lose Johan to a rain delay.
looks real nasty down south a bit (towards baltimore).
gategem
6/1/2012-6:17pm at 6:17 pm (UTC -4)
The weatherman has forecast heavy rain for Queens.
srt
6/1/2012-7:27pm at 7:27 pm (UTC -4)
Clap. Clap. Clap for Carlos.
Johan strikes him out.
Just the way it oughtta be.