Series Preview - Mets vs. Reds

Welcome back from the All Star break…last we left off the Mets had won 9 in a row, threw 4 shut-outs in their last 6 games, and surged forward from 7 ½ games back to tied in the lost column for first place with 66 games left…next…The second place NY Mets (51-44) begin the second half against the fourth place Cincinnati Reds (46 -50) at Great American Ballpark. The Mets are 9-1 over their last ten games while the Reds are 7-3. The Mets are 23-26 on the road this year, while the Reds are 26-19 at home. The Mets are now 0.5 games back of the Philadelphia Phillies (52-44) in the NL East.Probable pitchers are…Thursday: Johan Santana, LHP (8-7, 2.84)  vs. Johnny Cueto, RHP (7-9, 4.67)  Friday: John Maine, RHP (8-6, 3.99) vs. Bronson Arroyo, RHP (7-7, 5.97)   Saturday: Oliver Perez, LHP (6-5, 4.44)  vs. Josh Fogg, RHP (1-2, 7.94)Sunday: Pedro Martinez, RHP (3-2, 6.25)  vs. Edinson Volquez, RHP (12-3, 2.29)It’s hard to dislike anything about the Mets pitching these days and it’s hard to like anything about the Reds pitching. The only starter that should concern the Mets is Edinson Volquez who had arguably the best first half of any pitcher in the National League and in his rookie year no less.   Mets Pen – 3.78 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, .240 BAA Reds Pen – 4.10 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, .252 BAA  As if chained at the hips the Mets bullpen has followed the starting staff in dominating hitters over the past nine games. The Reds have a competitive bull pen themselves led by Francisco Cordero and Jared Burton. Offensively…Mets: .264 BA, 460 R, .338 OBP, .403 SLG, 91 SB (NL Ranks: 4th, 4th, 4th, 12th, 1st)Reds: .248 BA, 416 R, .325 OBP, .405 SLG, 61 SB (NL Ranks: 14th, 11th, 8th, 11th, 8th)I’d hate to see where Cincinnati’s offense would rank if they played in a pitcher’s park. The Mets continue to improve in all facets of their offense. While slugging still lags behind, they have still been hitting with a bit more power. The rest of the league just has as well and is holding the Mets rank down.  Notable Mets Out – Ryan Church, Moises Alou, Luis Castillo, El Duque, Tony Armas, Angel Pagan, Trot NixonNotable Reds Out – Aaron Harang, Ryan FreelThis is an important first game and series for the Mets as they want to come strong out of the gate and really continue building on the re-newed confidence they have. They also look to win a series before facing NL East leader Philadelphia followed by Wild Card leader St. Louis. Key to Series: Avoid Francisco Cordero and Jared Burton in a close game. Prediction: Mets Sweep. more...