Series Preview: Mets vs. Pirates

The New York Mets (13-11) are set to open up their three game series tonight at Shea against the Pittsburgh Pirates (10-15). The Mets find them self 1 1/2 games behind the first place Marlins as the Pirates are 6 games behind the Cubs, which are in first place.

Probable Pitching Matchups-

Game 1: Johan Santana, (3-2, 3.12) vs. Ian Snell, (2-1, 4.45)
Game 2: Oliver Perez, (2-1, 3.62) vs. Tom Gorzelanny, (1-3, 8.46)
Game 3: Mike Pelfrey, (2-1, 4.43) vs. Zach Duke, (0-2, 5.34)

The Mets pretty much have the edge pitching wise in every game of the series. You already know what your gonna get out of Johan Santana. He is a complete stud and Met fans know how great he really is. Oliver Perez has to try and keep his walks down against the Pirates. He has been greate in the first few innings in his starts but seems to fade away in the late innings. Hopefully, Oliver can have a better start. Then there's Mike Pelfrey, so far he has been pretty in the early stages of the 2008 season. As most of you Met fans know, at times, Pelfrey can be a very dominant pitcher. Hopefully he can keep up his success in his next start.

I hope that the weather clears up so we are able to play some baseball tonight at Shea Stadium. The forecasts don't look very good, but hopefully at the most, there will be a short rain delay. It's a pleasure to watch Johan Santana pitch, and I get excited every time I see him in a Mets uniform.

Offensively-

The Mets can easily outslugg the Pirates. The Pirates have only hit for a team average of .246 in 25 games this season. Also, the Pirates have absolutely no running game at all. They have only been able to put up 8 stolen bases, which puts them 13th in the National League. I don't see why the Mets shouldn't score atleast 5-7 per game against the Pirates.

Prediction-

The Mets are starting to get hot right now. Not only are they getting hot with the bats, the pitching is starting to come along in the starting roation and in the bullpen. Because of that, I say that the Mets will be able to sweep the lousy Pirates.