Category: Game Preview

Preview: Pirates at Mets May 31, 2011

Pittsburgh Pirates (24-28) at New York Mets (25-28) 7:10pm

James McDonald (3-3 5.23) vs. R.A. Dickey (2-5 4.50)

TV: SNY              Radio: WFAN

What to watch: The big news is that Dickey is making this start after leaving his last start with an injured foot. It will be worth keeping an eye on him playing the field and running that bases. Expect the Pirates to test him out with some early bunts.

McDonald had a rough start to the season for the Pirates. But he’s been pretty good since the end of April. The Pirates are 4-6 in his starts this season and they’ve won four of the last six games he started.

Preview: Pirates at Mets May 30, 2011

Pittsburgh Pirates (24-27) at New York Mets (24-28) 7:10pm

Charlie Morton (5-2 2.61) vs. Dillon Gee (4-0 3.82)

TV: SNY              Radio: WFAN

What to watch: The Pirates come to town tonight to start a four game series. They’re currently in fourth place in the NL Central, 6.5 games behind the Cardinals. The Pirates arrived in New York from Chicago having won two of three games there.

Morton has been somewhat of a revelation for the Pirates after having a terrible 2010. The Pirates are 5-4 in his 9 starts and he’s really only had two bad starts. He’s also had two complete game victories this year including one that was a shutout of the Reds on May 18 in Cincinnati.

Gee has also pitched well in his 6 starts this season. The Mets are 6-0 in his starts. You can’t do much more than that. He’s just been a winner both this season and at the end of 2010 when he was called up.

Preview: Phillies at Mets May 29, 2011

Philadelphia Phillies (33-19) at New York Mets (23-28) 1:10pm

Vance Worley (2-0 2.14) vs. Jon Niese (3-5 4.33)

TV: WPIX              Radio: WFAN

What to watch: The Phillies are going for the sweep at Citi Field today behind Worley who’s made a few spot starts this season. He started against the Mets on April 29 and threw 6 shutout innings. The Phillies are 2-1 in games he started and he’s 2 for 2 in hold situations this year.

The Mets are 5-5 in games that Niese started this season. He’s been very inconsistent but he has pitched better at home (3.41 ERA) than on the road (5.34 ERA).

Preview: Phillies at Mets May 28, 2011

Philadelphia Phillies (32-19) at New York Mets (23-27) 7:10pm

Cole Hamels (6-2 3.06) vs. Mike Pelfrey (3-4 5.37)

TV: FOX              Radio: WFAN

What to watch: The Phillies can win the series with a victory today over the Mets at Citi Field. They have a good chance to do it behind Hamels because they’re 8-2 in his starts this season. He’s won two straight decisions and the Phillies have won three straight games that he started.

On the other hand, the Mets are 3-7 when Pelfrey starts this season and they’ve lost two straight that he started. He got hit hard by the Yankees in his last start giving up 5 runs in 6 innings on 8 hits and 2 walks.

Preview: Phillies at Mets May 27, 2011

Philadelphia Phillies (31-19) at New York Mets (23-26) 7:10pm

Roy Oswalt (3-2 2.77) vs. Chris Capuano (3-5 5.36)

TV: SNY              Radio: WFAN

What to watch: The first place Phillies arrive in town for the first time this season with a 1 game lead in the division over the Marlins. The just took three of four games from the Reds in Philly and are probably thinking they can take this series in New York.

Oswalt has made 7 starts this season and the Phils are 3-4 in those starts although he’s pitched well and should have 6 wins by now. He’s allowed 2 runs or less in 6 of 7 starts so it won’t be easy tonight.

Capuano, on the other hand, got hit by the Yankees in his last start for 6 runs in 5.1 innings. He’s had some good starts but mostly against second division teams. He’s the kind of starter that gets eaten alive by teams with a good offense.

Preview: Mets at Cubs May 26, 2011

New York Mets (23-25) at Chicago Cubs (21-26) 2:20pm

R.A. Dickey (2-5 4.71) vs. Carlos Zambrano (4-2 4.88)

TV: SNY              Radio: WFAN

What to watch: The Mets and Cubs play the rubber game of the series before the Mets head home to face the Phillies. Dickey’s last start at Yankee Stadium was very good and got him his first win since his season debut. But he hasn’t been consistent this year at all. So there’s no telling what to expect today in Chicago.

The Cubs are 7-3 this season in games that Zambrano started. He hasn’t been very consistent either this season. He is sporting his lowest WHIP in three years though in an attempt to be come back from a couple of miserable years.

Preview: Mets at Cubs May 25, 2011

New York Mets (22-25) at Chicago Cubs (21-25) 8:05pm

Dillon Gee (3-0 3.44) vs. Casey Coleman (2-3 6.03)

TV: SNY              Radio: WFAN

What to watch: The Mets will try to shake off last night’s beating at the hands of the Cubs. Gee has been very good in four of his five starts this season. His last start against the Nationals was the best so far. He went 7.2 shutout innings allowing only 2 hits.

Coleman has been really up and down this season in his seven starts. In his last start in Florida he threw 5.2 shutout innings allowing 4 hits and 5 walks. But he’s been hit very hard in other starts so you never know what you’ll see from the 23 year old right hander.