The Mets have their final home opening day today as they take on the Phillies.
How perfect that for the last opening game, a game that is exciting by nature, we are playing a team that we want to destroy, adding to the excitement and its a game that we really need to win to get back our confidence. It's a perfect storm.
First off, on the offense notes I think today we will see a lot of what my friend calls “Willie Ball.” The Mets stole a lot of bases last year. This year, in 5 games, they have stolen three bases. If Reyes gets on base today, I would not be surprised, I am never surprised , to see him steal. But expect questionable steals today. Slower players stealing bases because that is what the Mets do.
Anyway, back to the pitching, which is generally the focus of these game previews. Ollie is coming off of a great start where he did everything right. (6 IP, 5 H, BB, 8 K, 0 ER). Will it be like Spring Training where a good start was followed by a bad, or will the good Oliver stay? Lets hope for the the latter. Last year he was 0-2 in 3 games against Philly going 13.1 innings with 5.40 ERA, 18 BB and 18 K. Not good numbers. One of his bad starts against them last year was on April 11th, where he lasted only 2.2 innings, giving up 3 runs and walking 7.
Overall last year, Moyer had a 5.01 ERA in nearly 200 innings pitched. However he had some of his best stuff against the Mets. Last year 4 games (1-1), he posted a 3.12 ERA over 26 innings. In his last start, he lasted 3.2 innings, coming off with a ND, allowing 9 hits, 3 runs and a walk and strikeout.
Big game today, lets go Mets.
