The Mets try to bounce back tonight and end their two game losing streak as they play the Marlins for the second game of this series. The game starts at 6 thanks to Flo Rida and the Marlins and it looks like the first hour will not be televised. The Mets send up the first fifth starter of the season in the form of Livan Hernandez and the Marlins will send out Nolasco, who won his first start of the season.
Hernandez didn't see action against the Marlins at all last year but in 2007 he went 2-0 in as many games, pitched 14.0 innings, walked 2 and struck out 5. During that time, his ERA against them was 3.21. The previous year though, he went 0-2 against the fish in three games with an ERA above 11. Here are the numbers the Fish have against him:
Uggla 3-13, 3B, HR
Ramierez 5-11, 2B, HR
Hermida 3-11
Cantu 0-3
The Marlins always start off hot, right now the Mets really need to stop them because I have a feeling that one loss might cause the train to go off the tracks a bit. As of right now they are hitting very well and the Mets need to get them under control. Hernandez is going to need a lot of run support.
Nolasco gets to handle a Mets lineup that has left 14 men on base in the game last night. Last year agaisnt the Mets he was 1-2 in 6 games, 5 starts against the Mets over 33.2 innings and had a 3.48 ERA. The Mets have hit him pretty well, mainly the big stars in our lineup have hit him pretty well. They will need to perform today and score runners as they get on base, otherwise this season will go no where fast. Here are the stat lines the Mets have against Nolasco:
Reyes 11-26, 3B, 2 HR
Beltran 8-23, HR
Wright 12-25, 3 2B, 3 HR
Delgado 6-21, HR
Church 1-9
The Mets showed last night that they can agaisnt the Marlins pen. If they can score runs against Nolasco and then hit the Marlins pen, they should have no problem scoring runs. As we have seen over the last few games, that is a big if. Lets Go Mets! Fry some Fish!
