Teams from the Quaker State (or officially, the Keystone State) continue their tour of Citi Field as the Pirates come to town. The Pirates got off to a hot start to the season but have cooled as of late as they are on a 5 game losing streak and have lost 9 of their last 10. The Mets are on the other end of the spectrum with a 4 game winning streak and now have won 6 of their last 10. Tonight is also a big night for the Mets as Niese makes his 2009 debut despite some rocky starts in Spring and in the minors and he will have to face Karstens who is also off to a rocky start for the season.
Niese is a highly touted prospect, and you have more than likely have already heard of him. His signerture move is his curveball that appears as if it breaks 18 inches, really its quite devastating when it is on. Last season he pitched 3 games with a 1-1 record and a 7.07 ERA, over 14.0 IP, 8 BB, and 11 K. His best start of the season was his second one where he pitched 8 shut out innings of ball against Atlanta, allowed 6 hits, walked 2 and struck out 7. This Spring Niese was 0-2 over three games and 8 innings where he allowed 6 runs, 7 BB and 7 K. In the minors this year he was 0-2, with a 6.55 ERA, 5 G, 22.0 IP, 8 BB and 25 K. In his last outing he pitched 6.0 innings, allowed 3 hits, one run, walked one and struck out eight. And that is what is a stand out characteristic for Niese this season (which is why he is getting this start) that his BB to K numbers look to be drastically improving, and if that keeps up, he will be a devastating pitcher. So the key of the game for him tonight is to keep that high ratio alive and strike out a lot of batters.
It will be helpful if the Mets can score runs behind Niese, and the Mets bats hope to build off of last night (despite going quiet after the third) against the Pirates and Karstens tonight. Karstens is 1-1 in 4 games and 20.0 IP this season where he has a 5.85 ERA, 13 BB and 9 K. Last season he was 2-6 in 9 games and 51.1 IP with a 4.03 ERA including 13 BB and 23 K. And thats what I really wanted to point out here. He has pitched about 30 innings less so far this year, and has already matched his season total for walks last year. Key for the Mets batters: be Patient at the plate. Last year he took a loss against the Mets lasting 6 innings and giving up 4 runs, a walk and struck out 3. Here are some stats the Mets have on him:
Beltran 2-3, HR
Delgado 0-3
Murphy 0-2, BB
Reyes 1-3
Cora 1-2
The overall goal for the Mets tonight is to not give up mistakes. We have to be tough on the Pirates because any opportunity and this team can then jump out of this downward spiral. We need to take advantage of the position they are in right now and as long as we are patient at the plate, and Niese doesn't walk to many tonight, I really think that can happen. Lets Go Mets! Beat the Pirates!
