Off of a opening series win against the Nationals, the Mets head south tonight to face the Braves. Yesterday was an incredibly exciting day as Matt Harvey made his long awaited return striking out 9 over six scoreless innings. Hopefully the Mets will be able to keep their focus down south after being amped up for the opening series and the return of the Dark Knight.
Jon Niese feels slightly forgotten, at least for me. There’s been attention this spring on Harvey, Wheeler’s injury, Gee/Montero for the fifth spot, Colon for the opening day starter and deGrom’s sophomore season that Niese just slipped out of my mind. Niese was 9-11 over 30 starts last year and 187.2 innings with a 3.40 ERA, which ties 2012 for his best season ERA. In three starts against the Braves last year, Jon posted a 1-2 record over 20.2 innings with a 2.61 ERA and 17 strikeouts. The Braves have the following numbers against Niese:
- Freeman 10-37, 2 2B, 2 HR
- Maybin 6-25, HR
- C Johnson 7-21, 2 2B
- Simmons 6-18, 2B
- K Johnson 4-11, 2B
The Mets get to witness Eric Stults first start in a Brave uniform, who the Braves signed as a free agent in February. Last year he was 8-17 over 32 starts for the Padres with a 4.30 ERA. Eric missed the Mets in 2014 but in 2013 he faced the Mets twice going 1-0 with a 2.31 ERA over 11.2 innings. The Mets have the following numbers against Stults:
- Wright 3-7, 2B
- Cuddyer 0-6
- Mayberry 4-8, 3 2B
- Duda 1-4
- d’Arnaud 0-2
- Flores 0-2
- Lagares 0-3
Lets Go Mets!
