Are we getting excited yet!?! Our Met’s are now on a 6 game winning streak and hopefully we can make it a 7 game winning streak before heading off to Philly. This was a wildly successful homestand.
Yes, It’s a little early in the year but I’m so looking forward to this weekend series with the Phillies. I love the rivalry. Considering the rough start the Mets had, catching the Phillies will make this series that much more entertaining.
Jon Niese will open the series Friday followed by Mike Pelfrey and then Johan Santana. The Phillies pitchers have yet to be announced. This lines up our top two pitchers for a crucial series that will set the tone for the entire year. Will the Phillies embarrass the Mets or will the Mets show they can play toe-to-toe with the defending NL Champs and leave Philly in first?
Game 2 will be the game to watch as Pelfrey, who has only given up 6 home runs at Citifield in his entire career, has also given up 6 homeruns at that sandbox called Citizens Bank Park, 4 of them to Chase Utley alone. I expect to see Pelfry with a little chip on his shoulder attempting to prove he can pitch in that homer friendly park..
What to watch – There’s bad blood between Utley and Pelfrey for an incident last June where, just as Pelfrey was ready to pitch, Utley called time. Words were exchanged both during and after the inning was over. Pitchers have long memories. You might see some retaliation by Pelfrey. It certainly would add fuel to a rivalry that that is only just starting to heat up for this year.
Game 3 – Santana hasn’t looked so good as of late, struggling through his last start to the Dodgers using 106 pitches over 6 innings while giving up 4 hits and 3 walks, not exactly Cy Young work but good enough for the win. Santana will need to bring his A-game or balls will start flying out of CBP. As the Ace and bulldog of the pitching staff, whether or not Santana has his best stuff, he will leave the Mets in a position to win.
Player to Watch – Jason Bay, a notoriously streaky hitter just starting to heat up. Perfect timing too! Expect to see a few homers from Bay and the rest of the team.
The Mets Report 