The Mets hope to continue their three game winning streak tonight by taking on the Marlins. The Marlins had the Mets number in the beginning of the season but they are much different team from that point as they are now four games below five hundred. The Mets will have to face a rookie making his second start of the season and they will send out Pelfrey to wrestle with his demons. That being said it should be a very interesting game.
Sean West will be making the start for the Marlins and in his major league debut he got a no decision in a game the Marlins eventually lost as he went out there for 5 innings, allowed 4 hits, 2 runs, 4 walks and 5 K. In the minors this year he was 4-2 over 8 games, where he had pitched 42.2 innings, walked 22, struck out 55 and had a 4.86 ERA. In the spring this year he pitched 4.2 innings with 7 ER, 6 H, 2 BB and 4 K. Now although the Mets usually struggle against new pitchers there are two signs that the Mets need to make sure they remember out there. First his numbers suggest that he has been hit and sometimes hard on all levels. Second, and more importantly, he is a left handed pitcher. That is where the Mets, even without Delgado, have their power.
In our dugout, Pelfrey will be taking the mound as he has a 4-1 record this season over 48.0 IP with a 4.31 ERA. In his last three games he is 2-1 over 20.0 IP, a 2.70 ERA, 4 BB and 11 K. These are the bad numbers though: Last year in 5 games Pelfrey was 0-4 with 20 ER over 25.1 IP against the Marlins. They have his number. He has shown this month that he has the stuff to return to number two in this rotation and this start will be important as its his first against the Marlins this year. Here are some numbers the Marlins have on Pelfrey:
Ramierez 4-23, HR
Uggla 7-19, 4 2B
Hermida 3-11
Cantu 5-13, 2 2B
Ross 5-12, 2B, 3B
Baker 4-8, 2B
The Mets success in this game will have a lot do with Pelfrey. If he can keep the Mets in this game and go deep, then the Mets will have a good chance of giving him his run support. If that doesn't happen, then the Mets will have to hope that their bats are really good. Lets Go Mets! Beat the Marlins!
