The Mets and Angels play the rubber game today for the classic afternoon Sunday game in Citi Field. Yesterday the Mets won as Pelfrey led the way with a strong complete game outing and was backed by a Mets offense that stole bases and flashed some power. Today, Jon Niese will try to keep it going for the Amazin's while the Mets bats will try to sink Tyler Chatwood.
Jon Niese is 6-5 this season with a 3.46 ERA. In his last six starts he has pitched 40.0 innings with an ERA of 1.58. The difference for Niese this season, especially in the last six starts, is his use of his curveball in respect to his other pitches. Last year he was using his cutter too much but he went back to the pitch this season, the cuveball, that landed him in the major league rotation. He has never faced the Angels, which is not surprising, and the only player who has seen Niese pitch is Dan Haren who went 0-2 against Niese (and it is a fairly safe bet that Haren will not be seeing the plate today).
The Mets batters will get a look today at Tyler Chatwood who is 3-4 this season with a 4.20 ERA. His last two starts have been rough as he has pitched 10.2 innings and allowed 10 runs, 9 earned. Chatwood is a rookie, so tonight will be the first time that he will face the Mets and anybody on the Mets thus setting up a game of mystery as neither lineup has seen opposing pitcher.
Let's Go Mets!
