The Rubber game of this series has arrived. The Marlins beat the Mets in a close game on Friday. The Mets responded by remembering how to hit with RISP last night to bring down the Marlins 8-4. We have our ace going today in the form of Johan Santana. The Marlins have their ace (thats my opinion) going today in the form of Josh Johnson, who basically is Nolan Ryan and Cy Young rolled into one pitcher when he faces the Mets.
This is the perfect day for the Mets to have Santana pitching. With Johnson pitching for the Marlins, runs might be scarce for the Mets so this is the time to have the ace go up and secure a win and to secure a 4-2 Road Trip to start the season. Santana had a lot of success last year against the fish going 3-0 in as many games over 23 innings pitched, walking 7 and striking out 24. His ERA over that time was 1.96. Here are the numbers the Marlins have put up against Santana:
Cantu 5-23, 8K
Ramirez 2-12, 4K
Uggla 1-14, 8K
Ross 3-10
Bonifacio 0-5, 3K
The Mets were able to handle Bonifacio a little better last night, and that is going to be the key for the pitching staff in this game as well. If they can keep him off the bases, then the rest of the lineup will become easier to handle. Of course, the Mets will also have to handle Ramirez who plays as advertised against the Mets. To help out Santana, the Mets are going to have to figure out Johnson.
Since 2006, Johnson is 4-0 against the Mets but the splits tell different stories. Last year he went 2-0 pitched 13.2 innings, had 4BB and 7K on his way to a 3.95 ERA. In 2006 (didn't pitch against the Mets in 07) he went 2-0 in three games, allowed NO runs agaisnt the mets over 17 innings, walked 8 and struck out 16. So in 2006, he was basically untouchable against the Mets and in 2008 the Mets were able to touch him but were not able to produce runs. Here are the Mets lines against Johnson:
Beltran 1-11
Delgado 0-11
Reyes 3-9
Wright 1-11
Castillo 1-3
Murphy 1-2
Before we break down the offense, last nights performance by Castillo caused his BA to jump from about .100 to .357 (Don' you love the stats at the start of the season?). If there are a lot of bench players starting today, it would make sense. The Mets have not been able to figure out Johnson at the plate and they might have to change the lineup around. The other side of that story is that the Mets have been hitting well so far this season, and they have an off day tomorrow, so we will see what the Jerry decides to do. Need less to say, the goal of the game is to get hits, hit often, break back into that Marlins pen. Lets Go Mets!
