The Mets play game two against the Orioles tonight as they look to win a road series and enter (finally) into double digit road wins. The Mets last night got a great start out of Dickey who confused the Orioles batters (and Rod Barajas) and the Mets got an opportunity to give the Animal more AB's (and he took advantage of it last night with a great 3-run homer). The Mets tonight will send out Takahashi to battle Matusz.
Takahashi as a starter at first was amazing, but he has really struggled recently. First two starts 12 innings, no runs, 11 K's. Last two starts 9.1 innings with 11 runs. It is pretty clear that either when Maine gets healthy, or the Mets bring in another starter, Takahashi will probably be the pitcher to leave the rotation (but that is a discussion for another day). Hopefully Takahashi will be able to keep the Orioles off balance tonight and keep himself out of trouble. Takahashi being a rookie means he has not seen the Orioles at all in his few months in the majors. A trait he shares with the pitcher he will be facing on the other side.
The Mets will be facing the young rookie Brian Matusz who has been interesting year so far for the Birds. At the start of the year he was their best pitcher. In recent times, he has struggled with his command and keeping the ball in the park. On the season he is 2-6 with a 5.10 ERA. In his last four starts he has pitched 19.2 innings while allowing 16 ER. Since he is young, the key for the Mets will be to get in his head. If they can cause some damage early they can prevent him from getting settled and really cause some damage. Lets Go Mets! Take a Road Series!
