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Sorry for the tardiness of this thread. I had hoped to do it last night, but unfortunately my daughter had 3 different school projects due today and she commandeered the computer. I unfortunately was up until 3:30 AM getting papers typed so they could be handed in this morning. I've only had 2-3 hours sleep since 6:00 Am on Thursday so I hope this is somewhat legible. I will finish the information regarding the starting pitchers for the weekend tomorrow morning.
So, without further ado, for you sick and twisted sadist that enjoy the pain that is late season matchups with the Braves, I offer the following report:
If last weeks beat down at the hands of the Jones Gang wasn’t painful enough for you, then step right up for the Braves visit to Shea. The Mets went down to Georgia last week and layed their playoff hopes at the conquering Braves feet, as they have done far too many times before. This time things will be different, as the matchup will be in our house. No playoff implications hang in the balance of this series. The only thing on the line now is pride.
The Mets have lost 12 of 14 for the month of September. The Braves stagger into Shea having gone 3-4 on their current road trip. The Mets are looking for revenge after suffering the recent sweep to the Braves in Atlanta.
Probable Starters
Friday – RHP Pedro Martinez (14-7, 2.93) vs. RHP John Smoltz (14-6, 2.95) – The two teams will send their respective staff ace to once again face one another. Martinez sports a record of 2-2 with a 2.57 ERA in his 4 previous starts against the Braves this year. Smoltz has fared even better against the Mets as he is 3-1 with a 1.61 ERA in his 4 prior starts against the Mets. This will be the fourth meeting between the two this season and should be something special if the two are on their games. It could be a long night for the offenses.
Saturday – RHP Steve Trachsel (1-2, 3.54) vs. RHP Tim Hudson (12-8, 3.36). Trachsel makes his fourth start since returning from the DL. in late August. After a triumphant first start against the Giants in San Francisco, Trachsel has drooped his last two decisions and his outings have gotten shorter and worse each time out. In his one start against the Braves in Atlanta, Trachsel went 7 innings and allowed 4 runs on 7 hits (2 HR's) and 2 walks. He will need to get back on track today for the Mets to have a chance.
Tim Hudson generally goes 7+ innings in his starts. The Mets will need to get him early before he settles in or it could be another long day for the offense. In 3 prior starts against the Mets this year, Hudson is 2-0 with an ERA of 0.82. Let's hope familiarity helps the offense do better this time around.
Sunday – LHP Tom Glavine (10-13, 3.88) vs. John Thompson (3-4, 4.76). Former Brave, Glavine squares off against a former Met, Thompson. Glavin's season ERA has dropped with each of his starts since July 25th. In his last 9 starts, Glavine sports a 2.51 ERA, but a 3-5 record. More an indictment of the the offense and late inning relief than of Glavine. The Mets need Glavine to continue his hot streak. Thompson has struggled since returning to the Braves rotation in August. Thompson has failed to go more than 5 innings in 4 of his 6 starts and has compiled a compiled a 7.06 ERA. Hopefully, a game against Thompson can revive the Mets offense and get them a series victory over the Braves.
The Bullpen
Closer – RHP Braden Looper (4-7, 28/35 SV, 3.66) vs. RHP Kyle Farnsworth (0-0, 7/7 SV, 1.40). The Baves clearly hold the advantage at the closer position. Virtually no one, other than the Braves faithful, wants to see Looper in a meaningful game situation at this point. Farnsworth has been perfect since joining the Braves and taking over the closer role after Dan Kolb and Chris Reitsma failed in their auditions as closers.
RHP Roberto Hernandez, RHP Aaron Heilman, RHP Jaun Padilla, RHP Heath Bell, and RHP Shingo Takatsu and a cast of others will try to get a lead into the ninth. Former starter, RHP Victor Zambrano has been added to the pen and offers added depth. Still, should the Mets get a lead, someone is going to have to step up and close the deal, since it appears that Looper’s “cahnfidence” is shot at this point. The Braves will depend on Reitsma, Kolb, John Foster, and youngster Blaine Boyer to get the game to Farnsworth. The Braves bullpen has not been spectacular, but they have managed to get the job done.
Who to Watch on Offense
Mets
Third baseman David Wright (.312, 21, 89) has been the Mets most productive hitter this season and continues to produce.
Cliff Floyd (.274, 30, 89) has remained healthy for the first time as a Met and has rewarded the team with a solid season.
Jose Reyes has slowly improved his discipline at the plate, but still has much to learn in order to become the lead off hitter the organization hopes he will become.
Kaz Matsui has returned from his latest injury on an offensive tear and is hitting .370 for the month of September.
=red]Braves
Andruw Jones (.277, 50, 125) is having a career season for the Braves and shows no signs of letting up as the regular season draws to a close.
“Larry” Chipper Jones (.304, 19, 67) has regained his stroke since moving back to third base earlier this season. He is a Met killer of historic proportion. He sports some gaudy (and painful to relive) numbers against the Mets in his career (.339 and numerous crushing HR’s).
Jeff Franceour has provided a spark to the Braves offense sincing joining the team. In 57 games he has amassed numbers (.316, .939 OPS, 12, 39) worthy of rookie of the year consideration. The Braves likely aren’t where they are now, if not for the emergence of Franceour and other youngsters (Ryan Langerhans and Wilson Betemit) that have filled in for aging veterans past their primes.
Missing in Action
Mets
Mike Cameron - 60 day DL – Broken face.
Felix Heredia – 60 day DL – bad hand and worse performance
=red]Braves
Mike Hampton - 15 day DL – Elbow – Awaiting “Tommy John” surgery.
*Updated for today's pitching matchup between Trachsel and Hudson.
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