The New York Mets have played a pretty terrible series against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Two nights in a row they've wasted solid outings from their starters. Last night Chris Capuano's start went for naught after a nightmare seventh inning with some poor defense a relief efforts.
The Mets need a spark. They've won two of their last seven games. They are on the brink of losing a series to the Pirates. Jose Reyes returns to the lineup this afternoon after spending several days on the bereavement list and maybe that's what will get this team going again. Not for nothing, but despite the feel good stories of the Pirates' starters, the Mets should have more runs over the past two games than four.
Today Mike Pelfrey will take the mound against Paul Maholm. Pelfrey is 3-4 on the year with a 5.00 ERA and 1.46 WHIP, but is slowly finding consistency and coming off a very good start against the Philadelphia Phillies in which he allowed two earned runs in 7 2/3 innings, striking out six. Maholm is 2-7 on the year but has a very respectable 3.18 ERA and 1.17 WHIP. He's coming off a complete game shutout of the Chicago Cubs in which he allowed three hits and fanned four.
After this series the Atlanta Braves will come to Citi Field. It would be nice if the Mets find a way to split the series with the Pirates first.