Due to the rain out last night, the Dodgers and Mets will play two in an afternoon/evening double header. The pitching match-ups for this game are also getting shuffled. Originally Kuroda was going to pitch against Oliver Perez. Now he is going to pitch against Johan Santana. Perez will be pitching against Haeger, who is pitching on 3 days rest for a Dodgers rotation that is going through turmoil due to injuries.
Game 1:
Santana will start game one tonight. He is 2-1 on the season over 4 games and 24.1 innings with a 2.59 ERA. Santana didn't face the Dodgers but he did in 2008 where he made one start where he lasted 7.2 innings and allowed only one earned run. The Dodgers have been able to post these numbers against Santana over the years:
Kemp 3-7
Martin 0-4
Furcal 3-6, 2 2B
The Mets will have to tend to Kuroda who is off to a fine start (2-0, 3
G, 20.2 IP, 2.18 ERA). Last year he struggled in one start against the
Mets as he lasted 4.1 innings and the Amazin's were able to get 4
earned runs (5 total) off of him. The Mets have these stats against him
lifetime:
Castillo 2-6
Reyes 3-5, 2B
Francoeur 1-3, 2B
Game 2:
Perez has had an up and down season so far as he brings his 0-2 record,
over 17 innings and a 3.71 ERA into this game. Perez was effective in
his last start against the Dodgers last year as he picked up the win in
5 innings of work allowing 2 earned runs (amazing when you consider he
also walked 7). The Dodgers have put these numbers against him over his
career:
Martin 5-11
Kemp 4-11, 2B, HR
Ethier 0-6
The Mets will have to face the knuckleballer in the night cap tonight. Three-days rest isn't that big of deal for a knuckleballer so the Mets are not getting too much of an advantage there. Haeger has never faced the Mets and only Castillo and Cora have seen him (0-3 combine). This season he is 0-2 over 4 games and 15.1 innings with a 6.46 ERA. In terms of the Mets batting, Wright and Francoeur will have to channel their early season selves when they were both very patient at the plate. Haeger has been known to everyonce in a while throw flat knuckleballs, which could easily be deposited on the Pepsi Porch. Lets Go Mets!
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