The Mets will try to right the ship tonight by relying on their ace, Johan Santana. It should be an interesting matchup tonight as Santana and Marshall, starter for the Cubs, both have not faced their opponent since 2006. We all know that both teams have different lineups between now and then. Its a big night for the Mets as they need to hold onto the postseason.
Santana, 14-7, got the win his last time out and his 14th was a long time coming, as the bullpen continued to lose it after he would leave the game. On the season he has pitched 217.1 innings pitched and his season ERA is 2.65, his best in several years. In his last five games he is 2-0 and has 33.1 innings pitched. He has walked 11 and struck out 34 during that time his ERA is 2.70. In his start against the Cubs in 2006, he got the win in 8 innings, allowed one earned run on 5 hits, a walk and 6 K's. Here are the Cubs numbers against Santana:
Reed Johnson 10-19, 2B, HR
Soriano 0-6
DeRosa 1-6
Ramierez 0-4
The Mets need Santana more than ever tonight. Lets hope the offense can back him up.
Marshall, 3-4 has appeared in 31 games this year but has only been a starter in 6 of those games. He has pitched 59.2 innings and has a season ERA of 3.62. His starter record is 1-4 and his starter ERA is 4.24. He hasn't started since September 7th and his last 4 games and during that time he started 2 games. He was 0-1 over 13.2 innings and a 3.95 ERA during that time. In 2006 vs the Mets, his rookie season, he lasted 5.1 innings, allowed 5 earned, and 7 total runs. Here are some stats:
Beltran 0-3
Delgado 1-3
Wright 1-3
Wright has been hitting well the last few days and he and the rest of the Mets offense will need to wake up and fight against the Cubs today because not only is this a possible NLDS preview, it is our road to the NLDS. We must win right now in order to make it to the NLDS. The time is now and the Mets still have their playoff destiny in their hands. Lets Go Mets!
