The Mets open up another series against an NL West opponent tonight as they start their four game set with the Padres. The Mets have won their last three series now and have a record of 7-3 in their last ten games. A lot of this is due to the awakening of a few of their players, Reyes, Wright and Beltran, hitting like they should. In the last ten games, these are their lines:
Reyes 44 AB, 15 H, 5 2B, 4 HR, 8 RBI, 6 BB, .341 BA, .727 SLG
Wright 39 AB, 13 H, 3 2B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 7 BB, .333 BA
Beltran 37 AB, 12 H, 3 2B, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 7 BB, .324 BA
Those numbers are fantastic and are what the Mets were hoping for, and then some, out of these three players. What is really surprising is how similar these numbers are between these three players, and shows that the Mets can have a really balanced lineup when everything starts to click. Banks, the starting pitcher for the Padres, will be trying to stop the Mets.
Banks has only played 6 games, and started 2 since debuting in 2007. In 2007, he made two relief appearances and one start totaling to 7.1 IP, 6 ER, 2 BB, 2 K. This year, he has been completely different as he has pitched 17 innings and has been lights out. He has allowed no runs, walked 5 times and struck out 10. In his first start this season, he pitched a complete game shut out, allowed 6 hits, walked no one, and struck out 5. He has no batting record against any Mets. Right handers are hitting .257 against him and Lefties are hitting .217 against him. The Mets got smoked against Billingsley the last time they faced a young pitcher, but they were able to light up the Dodger pen. Hopefully the Mets will be able to actually score Banks who is sporting a career ERA of 2.22 (over 24.1 innings).
On the side of shutting the Padres' bats, will by Mike Pelfrey. Pelfrey had to make a statement in his last start to show the Mets he deserved to stay in the rotation. He made a great statement holding the Dodgers to two runs over 7 innings, walking one and striking out 6. Before his last start, right handers were hitting .272 against him and lefties were hitting .385 against him. After his last start, right handers BA dropped to .265 and lefties BA dropped to .375. So not a huge drop, but it shows that he is starting to improve. He has never faced the Padres before.
Lets Go Mets!
