Game Preview: Braves vs Mets

The Mets and the Braves meet up for a pretty large series to end the first half of the season. Remember the times when it was the Mets and Braves at the top and the rivalry was going strong? Well folks, we may be back in that area as the Braves are now 15 games over .500 and have a 3 game lead over the Mets. This is an important series because it will determine the seperation of the top teams in the division. The Mets dropped a tough series against the Reds where they had the ability to win every night but just couldn't get it done. Now they will have to do it against Tommy Hanson of the Braves.

It's Dickey time again in New York. On the season he is 6-1 with a 2.61 ERA. He had a fine start out last time in Washington where he pitched 7 innings and allowed 2 runs, but 0 earned runs. His outing was tossed out though thanks the Mets bullpen. Anyway he looks to shut down the Braves tonight in his first start against them this season. The Braves have the following numbers on Dickey over his career:

Hinske 2-10, 2B
Glaus 0-7
Cabrera 0-4
Infante 1-3

Tommy Hanson will be getting the start for the Braves tonight, on the season he is 8-5 with a 4.19 ERA. The only start he has against the Mets this season he pitched 5 innings, allowed an ER, and picked up the loss in a rain shortened game. He is 1-2 in his last three games as he has allowed 14 earned runs in his last 14 innings pitched, which is mainly due to a 9 run start where he only pitched 3.2 innings. The Mets have these numbers against Tommy:

Bay 2-5
Francoeur 1-5
Wright 0-5
Pagan 0-4
Reyes 1-3
Thole 1-2

Lets Go Mets!