Yesterday, the New York Mets could have been considered the underdogs for very obvious reasons: David Wright was out of the lineup resting a sore back and Ike Davis was put on the disabled list -- meaning an infield of Jose Reyes, Daniel Murphy, Justin Turner and Willie Harris was cobbled together. Add in the fact that Ubaldo Jimenez has the talent to no-hit any lineup and the chances of the Mets winning the series looked slim. Well, Jimenez looks like a totally different pitcher this season and Carlos Beltran picked up the slack with three homeruns to give the Mets a 9-5 win.
Now the Mets begin a series with the Houston Astros, a team that beat them two out of three a few weeks ago. The 'Stros are 14-23 on the year, and including the loss to the Mets in the finale on April 21, they've lost 12 and won only seven. This is another series the Amazin's need to take, and a strong showing will give them three straight series wins.
They begin the series facing strikeout-machine, Budd Norris. Since his start against the Mets in which he received a no decision, he's allowed only three earned runs (six runs altogether) -- and he's struckout 26 in those three starts and has 52 strikeouts in 42 2/3 innings this year. He's really taken the next step this year with his control and this may very well be the toughest game for the Mets to take because of how overpowering he can be.
On the mound for the Mets is rookie Dillon Gee. Gee has taken the rotation spot of Chris Young -- and in his first start since his inclusion he went 5 1/3, allowing two runs on seven hits. He's got a 3.80 ERA. 1.36 WHIP and 2-0 record on the year with 16 strikeouts in 21 1/3 innings.
Wright should be back in the lineup tonight, and the Mets really need him to get going. He has a .234 AVG, .338 OBP and .401 SLG, with 40 strikeouts in 137 at bats. It's a frustrating funk but the breakout has to be coming soon.