Game Preview: Marlins vs Mets

The Mets took the opener. The Marlins took the second game. Now we are at the end of the first series of the season. A win here takes the series, and a winning record. For the Mets today, a lot is riding on young Niese. Niese beat out Nieve, Figueroa, Misch, and Takahashi for the final spot in the rotation. He will be pitching against Nate Robertson, who was acquired by the Marlins from the Tigers this offseason.

Niese has never faced the Marlins in his career and has never faced any batters that are on the Marlins team. To them, he is a mystery. This past Spring he pitched 19.1 innings with an ERA above 6.50, but was good his 17 strikeouts. Last season Niese pitched 5 games with a 1-1 record over 25.2 innings and a 4.21 ERA. He pitched 4 of those games at home where he had a 5.30 ERA and he had an excellent game on the road where he allowed 1 run over 7 innings. With the amount that the Mets used their bullpen last night, it would be great if Niese could go deep into this game.

Robertson is having a coming home of sorts with the Marlins this year. He debuted with them in 2004 and then since then has been a member of the Detroit Tigers. Last season he went 2-3 over 49.2 innings pitched with a 5.44 ERA In 2008 his record was 7-11 over 168.2 innings with a 6.35 ERA. The only Mets players who faced him were players that have been in the AL recently, and these are their career numbers against Robertson:

This should be an interesting game tonight. On one side of the mound there is young, promising Niese, trying to rebound after being injured last year. On the other side, Robertson is trying to get his carear back on track. Lets go Mets! Take the series!