Mets At Astros: Mets Can Win Third Straight Series

After a four-run first inning for the Houston Astros, it didn't look like R.A. Dickey would last much longer than the first inning. All things considered, he threw relatively well from that point onward, lasting 5 1/3 innings and really only running into trouble in the sixth when he gave up two solo homeruns.

And even after a loss like the 7-3 one yesterday, the New York Mets have a chance to win their third straight series and head into a homestand on a winning note.

Chris Capuano will take the mound for the Mets, while Aneury Rodriguez will toe the rubber for the 'Stros. Even though Capuano has a 4.93 ERA and 1.54 WHIP, he has allowed two runs ore more one in his last four outings. The past two outings -- against the Colorado Rockies in Colorado and against the San Francisco Giants -- Capuano has allowed two earned runs.

The 23-year-old Ridriguez is in the rotation in place of former Met Nelson FIgueroa who was designated for assignment, and he's had two oppositve results in his outings -- both against the Reds. In his first start, he threw a scoreless five innings, and in the second outing he allowed five earned runs. He's a hittable guy with modest strikeout potential -- and he's a guy the Mets should be able to take advantage of.

Carlos Beltran was a last-minute scratch in yesterday's lineup, and it's thought that he might have pink eye. If that's the case, Fernando Martinez will be in the lineup again in right field. Terry Collins has already said he doesn't want to put Martinez in center field, but could possibly move Jason Bay there to get Martinez some at bats. He hit a homerun in his pinch-hitting appearance on Friday and went 1-for-4 with a double yesterday.