The 5-11 Mets will face the 5-11 Astros at Citi Field tonight. The Mets just ended a 7 game losing streak and are looking to rebound against a struggling Houston Astros team. When you have two teams with similar records, especially early on in the season, you'd expect to find other similar stories as well. Both of tonight's starters (Wandy Rodriguez and Niese) have struggled at the start of the season, and they both would like to reverse that tonight.
Niese is 0-2 this season with a 6.88 ERA over 17 innings of work. One positive for Niese has been his control. He has has struck out 15 batters while walking 5, and that would be a nice trend to continue. He pitched against the Astros once last season where he allowed 1 earned run in 7 innings of work while walking none and striking out 5. The Astros have these numbers on Niese:
Lee 0-5
Pence 1-6
Sanchez 1-4
Bourn 0-2
Hall 1-2
The Mets batters come back to Citi tonight where they will have to deal with Wandy. Rodriguez is 0-2 in three starts on the season with a 7.31 ERA pitching 16 innings, walking only 3 and striking out 11 batters. He got a no decision last year against the Mets in a game where he pitched 7 innings, allowing 1 earned run over 4 hits. The Mets have the following numbers on Wandy:
Beltran 6-16, 2 2B, 2 HR
Wright 6-16, 2 2B
Hairston 6-11, 2 2B, 2 HR
Pagan 2-11, HR
Harris 2-3, HR
Let's Go Mets!
