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Sorry for the tardiness of this thread. Damn work gets in the way of really important stuff all the time.
You know them and I’m sure most of you don’t like them, but just in case you’ve been living under a rock the past 15 years, I will introduce the Atlanta Braves to you. The perennial NL East Division Champion Atlanta Braves travel to Shea to take on the reining NL East Division champs, the New York Mets. The Mets set atop the division standings with a record of 10-4. They are hotly pursued by the resurgent Atlanta Brave, only 0.5 games back with a record of 10-5. The Mets will be looking to avenge a 1-2 series in Atlanta during the first weekend of the season.
Who’s Starting?
Friday, April 20th @ 7:10 PM – Tim Hudson (RHP) vs. Mike Pelfrey (RHP) – The Braves will send a resurgent Tim Hudson to the mound for the series opener. Hudson is off to a hot start this season after a rocky 2006 campaign. He seems to again be pitching like the ace that Atlanta was looking for when they acquired him after the 2004 season. If the Mets are to get to Hudson, they likely will need to do it early before he settles into a groove. Mike Pelfrey is considered the future of the Mets aging pitching staff. He has a great deal of promise, but hasn’t quite been able to put it all together at the major league level quite yet. He will likely need to be sharp in what figures to be a low scoring game tonight.
Saturday, April 21tst @ 1:10 PM – Chuck James (LHP) vs. Oliver Perez (LHP) – Chuck James is sporting a solid 2.25 ERA, but is coming off a tough 5-1 loss to the Washington Nationals in his last outing. The Mets will be looking to double his misery with a pummeling at Shea. Oliver Perez is the “Jekyll/Hyde of the Mets staff. He was masterful in his start against the Braves in Atlanta. However, any hopes of a smooth return to the form he once showed with the Pirates was quickly dashed by an absolutely dreadful performance against the Phillies in his last start. Control is a key for Perez. He has great stuff, but when he loses control, as he did in his last start, he is absolutely awful. On such occasions, it seems that Oliver couldn’t find the strike zone if he had a map, GPS, and a freakin’ tour guide.
Sunday, April 22nd @ 1:10 PM – John Smoltz (RHP) vs, Tom Glavine (LHP) – A rematch of game 2 from the series in Atlanta. In their meeting in Atlanta, Tom Glavine was betrayed by shoddy defense that resulted in 3 unearned Atlanta runs. Smoltz can sympathize with his old roommate after his last outing in which the Braves committed 3 errors, but the Braves still prevailed against the hapless Nationals.
Who’s in the Pen?
Despite all the injuries and suspensions to key members of last year’s bullpen, the Mets relievers have still been a formidable group. Rookie Joe Smith (RHP has had to assume a more prominent role with Aaron Heilman (RHP) nursing a tender elbow. The young sidewinder has been a pleasant surprise to go along with Jose Feliciano (LHP), Scott Schoeneweis (LHP), Heilman and closer Billy Wagner (LHP).
The Braves revamped bullpen has given Bobby Cox a reliable core to close out games. Mike Gonzalez (LHP), Chad Paronto (RHP) and Rafael Soriano (RHP) have helped to give the Braves a vastly improved bullpen from that of last year. Bob Wickman (RHP) won’t wow anyone with his stuff in the closers role, but he is a veteran that is still able to get the job done.
Who’s Hot?
The Mets are still hot damn it! The Mets enter this series Reyes, Beltran, Wright, Alou, and Green all hitting better than .320 for the season. Valentin, the slacker has been flashing some leather at second base, but he’s only hitting .298 for the year
Atlanta’s catcher Brian McCann is still red hot. He currently is the most dangerous bat in the Braves line up. He is getting significant support from LF Mike Diaz, shortstop Edgar Renteria , and third baseman Larry Chipper Jones.
Who’s Chillin’?
Carlos Delgado is hitting .220 and is still looking for his first home run of the season. David Wright in the midst of a franchise record hitting streak, but his power stroke seems to be vacationing with that of Delgado.
Centerfielder Andruw Jones is lost on the interstate (.170), but at least he has company in firtbaseman Craig Wilson (.160) and rightfielder Ryan Langerhans (.074). I just hope they can all find Shea so they can continue to put up their paltry numbers for at least a few more games.
Who’s Wounded?
The Mets have suffered no significant casualties since the start of the regular season.
The Braves are a few arms short at present.
RHP Chad Paronto – 15 day DL for pulling his groin
RHP Lance Cormier – 15 day DL strained right tricep
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