The Mets attempt to complete the two game sweep with the early afternoon game today at Shea. First off, last night showed the luck of the rain-out as the Mets bullpen got rest and then had to be used heavily last night. Oliver Perez will try to prevent use of the bullpen today as he faces off against his former team.
Perez hasn't had much success against his former team, but like anything with Perez, thats a very complicated statement. When you look at his career line against the Pirates, he has pitched 3 games against the Pirates, and only one against the Pirates after he was traded to the Mets. In those three games, he has an 0-2 record 14 IP, 5.14 ERA, 12 BB and 14 K. Seems like a Perez type line. His 2007 loss to the Pirates has one of more strange lines in baseball: one game, loss, 6 IP, 5 R, 0 ER, BB, 9 K. Basically, thanks to spotty defense, the Mets blew that game for Perez. The hitting stats against Perez are also something to admire:
Nady 2-5
Bay, LaRoche, Paulino, Sanchez combined 0-12, 5 K
The pitcher, Tom Gorzelanny, for the Pirates has had a tough year. In any season, when you make 5 starts and only have one quality start, its a tough ride. His last quality start was his first start of the season and since then he has struggled including two outings where he lasted 2.1 and 2.2 innings. Overall he is 1-3, 5 G, 22.1 IP, and 8.46 ERA. To add to his stress, last year he took a loss against the Mets after only last 2.1 innings giving up 6 ER (23.14 ERA), walking 3 and striking out one.Mets hitting against Tom:
Reyes 2-6, 2 RBI
Wright 2-5, 2 2B
Church 0-3
Delgado 1-4, 2B, 2 RBI
Delgado is the player I will be paying attention to today. He had a great day Sunday, and then followed it up with an 0-5 day at the plate. Depending on what he does today is very important because he needs to show that he can bounce back. Going with that, pay attention to the Mets with runners in scoring position, because over this 3 game winning streak, the Mets have still left, what has felt like, a lot of runners on base.
