IMPORTANT NOTE: DUE TO A FAMILY EMERGENCY, I HAVE TO POST TOMORROW'S PREVIEW POST A DAY EARLY, THIS IS THE GAME PREVIEW FOR THURSDAY AFTERNOON, THE GAME PREVIEW POST FOR TODAY CAN BE FOUND HERE. THANK YOU FOR UNDERSTANDING.
The Mets and the Cards will be battling it out for the early afternoon game as the Mets send their number 5 guy out, who has been their number two guy, in the form of Livan Hernandez and he will be going against the new ace of the Cards, already making his forth start, Lohse. Now Hernandez has a win in two games so fart this year over 11.2 innings ptiched, a 4.65 ERA, 3BB and 7K. He didn't face the Cards at all last season but in 2007 he got a No Decision (feels awkward typing that, a pitcher recieving nothing), over 7.0 innings of work, allowing 3 runs, no walks and 4 K's. Here is what the Cards have been able to do against Livan:
Pujols 8-29, HR
Greene 3-20
Molina 2-11
Ludwig 1-4
Duncan 2-3
Livan had a really good start his last time out until he gave up the lead pretty much all at once. This feels like commonsense saying this, but as long as he doesn't hit that wall, or he gets pulled before reaching that wall, then I am not really concerned with the Mets pitching today.
The Mets will have to beat up on Lohse to get the win today and I am always worried about that. Although the Mets have been able to do that in the past, sometimes Lohse just comes out and rips the Mets to shreds. He is one of those pitchers that get me very nervous (similar to Josh Johnson, even if the numbers don't support the claim, this is a statement just about nerves). So far this season he is 2-0 over 3 games and 21.0 innings ptiched with a 2.57 ERA, 3BB and 21 K. Impressive Numbers. Last year against the Mets he went 1-1 over 12 IP, 7 ER, 3 BB, and 6 K. Not as impressive numbers. Here is what the Mets have been able to do with Lohse:
Beltran 18-34, 3 2B, 4 HR
Delgado 7-17, 2B, HR
Reyes 4-14, 2B, HR
Wright 6-14, 2B, HR
Church 5-11, 2B, HR
Sheff 3-8, 2 2B, HR
The Mets have been able to put up the power numbers on Lohse in the past. Like I said before, the numbers don't justify my nerves about Lohse but they are still there (maybe I'm just really strange, which is a very realistic possibility). Anyway a win today is “crucial” because we want some form of momentum coming together for the series with the Nationals this weekend (then again, how can play be “crucial” in April). Lets Go Mets!
