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Two games? Two freaking games? C'mon! This is going to be 66.67% of a normal KTE.
The Mets last saw the Brewers in August of 2011. The Brewers scored 23 runs while sweeping three games from the Mets in New York. Ryan Braun won the NL MVP, the Brewers won the NL Central division and lost to the Cardinals in the NLCS. Prince Fielder went on to sign big free agent money with the Tigers. The Mets finished the season 4th in the NL East, going 17-19 after Milwaukee left town.
On Opening Day 2012, the Brewers boasted a payroll of $97,653,944 while the Mets trimmed down to $93,353,983. The Brewers signed Aramis Ramirez to fill the Princely hole in their lineup while the Mets were putting together squadrons featuring all home grown players...none of which were named Jose Reyes.
Since opening day, the Brewers have been plagued with injuries. They lost 4th starter Chris Narveson for the year to a torn rotator cuff. Mat Gamel, who replaced Fielder at first was also lost for the season due to a torn ACL. Joining them on the DL are CF Carlos Gomez (hamstring) and SS Alex Gonzalez (knee). Ryan Braun, Corey Hart and Rickie Weeks are also day-to-day with various ailments.
I guess these could be reasons why the Brewers are sitting below .500 this season and near the bottom of the (perennially) weak NL Central. But the Mets have lost their 4th starter for the season. They have their starting SS, LF and C on the DL as well. Yet, the Mets are winning some games and staying in the hunt as part of the very competitive NL East.
Were the Brewers overrated last year? Was Prince Fielder the reason that they were able to put up so many runs? Are the injuries they have suffered more devastating than the once the Mets have been playing through? So many questions...but only two games with which to answer them.
Monday, May 14, 7:10 PM EST
Gallardo (2-3, 5.35) vs. Batista (0-1, 5.89)
Gallardo is the Brewers' "ace" but has not pitched well so far this season. He has not gone a start without giving up runs this season and the Brewers have lost three of the last four he has started. It is a wonder that Batista is still a big league pitcher. The Mets have won two of the last three he has started.
Tuesday, May 15, 7:10 PM EST
Greinke (3-1, 3.35) vs. Gee (2-2, 4.78)
Greinke got roughed up in his second start of the season at Chicago, but has been very good in every other start. Gee has been just good enough to keep his ballclub in most of the games he has pitched this year...which he will need to do again against Greinke and the Brewers.
With all of the injuries, it is hard to say who will start these two games. Here are some slash lines:
C - Jonathan Lucroy .341/.390/.505/.895
2B - Rickie Weeks .158/.308/.292/.600
SS - Alex Gonzalez .259/.326/.457/.783
3B - Aramis Ramirez .228/.281/.390/.672
LF - Ryan Braun .305/.382/.644/1.026
CF - Nyjer Morgan .200/.264/.213/.477
RF - Corey Hart .252/.326/.530/.856
CF - Carlos Gomez .280/.321/.480/.801
1B - Travis Ishikawa .217/.280/.457/.737
OF - Norichika Aoki .220/.289/.317/.606
IF - Cesar Izturis .209/.261/.279/.540
UT - George Kottaras .300/.523/.633/1.156
1B - Taylor Green .250/.250/.417/.667
1B - Brooks Conrad .000/.000/.000/.000
MI - Edwin Maysonet .750/.800/1.500/2.300
The Milwaukee bullpen has the second highest ERA in the NL at 4.88. The Mets have the third highest and the Phillies have the highest.
IMO, the Brewers are not a very good team right now, however the pitching matchups do heavy favor Milwaukee. It would be really nice to win these two games over a team that is struggling.
Two games? Geez.
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