Pittsburgh Pirates (10-15) at New York Mets (13-11) 7:10pm
Ian Snell (2-1) vs. Johan Santana (3-2)
TV: SNY Radio: WFAN
What to watch: Turning this into a two game series makes things interesting because you don’t want to split it with a team as bad as the Pirates. Now we’re looking to sweep the short series. The Mets have already been swept in two short ones, in Atlanta and in Chicago. It’s time to start turning this mediocre season around.
Pittsburgh Pirates (10-15) at New York Mets (13-11) 7:10pm
Ian Snell (2-1) vs. Johan Santana (3-2)
What to watch: The Pirates are a dreadful team in last place in the worst division in baseball. They haven’t made the playoffs since Barry Bonds was there if you can remember back that far. The Mets absolutely have to win two of the three games in this series. Ian Snell’s not a bad pitcher although his last start against St. Louis was poor. The weather is supposed to be terrible with heavy rain predicted for tomorrow afternoon. It’ll be interesting to see what the Mets do with Santana tomorrow. They don’t want to “waste” one of his starts if the game is going to get rained out. The Mets could start a long reliever in case the game can’t be played in full.
Atlanta Braves (12-12) at New York Mets (12-11) 1:10pm
John Smoltz (3-1) vs. Nelson Figueroa (1-1)
What to watch: There’s supposed to be some rain today. We’ll see if they’re able to get the game in or not. What can you say about Smoltz? The guy’s been doing it forever and dominant as a starter and closer. He’s still bringing the heat at 40. Figueroa could position himself pretty well to stay in the rotation when Pedro Martinez gets back. Mike Pelfrey hasn’t looked that great, and one of them will be out of the rotation. Hopefully, the Mets can take the rubber game of the series today.
Atlanta Braves (12-11) at New York Mets (11-11) 1:10pm
Tim Hudson (3-1) vs. John Maine (1-2)
TV: CW11 Radio: WFAN
What to watch: After dropping the first game of the series to the Braves, the Mets need to win both Saturday and Sunday to win this home series against division rivals. The Mets don’t seem to have anything going for them right now except for Johan Santana and he can’t pitch every day unfortunately. Maine will have to be the stopper in this one. Carlos Delgado is scheduled to be back in the lineup after only making a pinch hitting appearance and striking out Friday night.
Atlanta Braves (11-11) at New York Mets (11-10) 7:10pm
Jair Jurrgens (2-2) vs. Mike Pelfrey (2-0)
TV: SNY Radio: WFAN
What to watch: Jurrgens was obtained from the Tigers this offseason for Edgar Renteria. The Braves have big expectations for this pitcher from the Netherlands. Mike Pelfrey is in a battle with Nelson Figueroa for which pitcher stays in the rotation when Pedro Martinez gets back. Pelfrey’s last start in Philadelphia wasn’t very good only going five innings and giving up four runs on ten hits and two walks.
New York Mets (11-9) at Washington Nationals (6-16) 7:10pm
Oliver Perez (2-0) vs. Shawn Hill (0-0)
TV: SNY Radio: WFAN
What to watch: The Mets need to continue beating up on the weak sisters of the league like the Nationals. Every start for Oliver Perez is important to maintain his consistency as much as possible. It would be nice to get another win in Washington with a tough home series this weekend against the Braves coming up.
New York Mets (10-9) at Washington Nationals (6-15) 7:10pm
Johan Santana (2-2) vs. Tim Redding (3-1)
TV: SNY Radio: WFAN
What to watch: This is why Santana gets the big bucks, to stop the bleeding. Coming off a short series sweep in Chicago, the Mets may find that playing the Nationals is the cure. They’re just a bad team, maybe the worst in baseball. They’re certainly a team that the Mets can beat up on and get “right” before heading home to face the Braves.
The Mets Report 