Florida @ New York preview
Citi Field
Last Meeting ( Jun 5, 2010 ) Florida 1, NY Mets 6
Anyone who wants to find out where the success of the New York Mets lies need not look any further than the pitching staff.
When you consider that Mets starters are 10-2 with a 2.33 ERA over the club’s last 18 games, it’s easy to explain why when they win who deserve much of the credit.
And much of Mets’ success of late has come at home, where following Saturday’s 6-1 win over the Florida Marlins, they have won 17 of 21 at the friendly confines of Citi Field. In contrast, they are just 8-18 on the road, which is the worst mark in the National League.
New York will look to do what it does best in Sunday’s finale as the team goes for the three-game sweep over the Marlins.
David Wright homered and drove in three runs to back a strong effort by Jon Niese in Saturday’s win. Wright’s homer was his first at home since opening day and 10th of the season.
Niese, who was activated off the disabled list prior to the start, allowed just one run in six innings.
While Niese has been a pleasant surprise in the rotation, none has been a bigger one than that of 35-year-old Hisanori Takahashi, who opened the season in the bullpen but has slid into a starting role.
Takahashi has made three starts and for the season is 4-2 with a 3.21 ERA and 45 strikeouts in 42.0 innings.
A native of Japan, the left-hander didn’t allow a run in his first two starts (both at home), giving up just 10 hits in 12 innings. However, he was roughed up in his last outing, serving up six runs and eight hits in four innings of work on the road.
Now back pitching at home, Takahashi will try to keep the Mets starters’ hot streak rolling.
Trying to put an end to that will be Florida right-hander Ricky Nolasco, who goes for his second win against the Mets after beating them on May 16.
Nolasco has enjoyed mixed success in 2010, winning and losing no more than two consecutive starts. He is coming off a win in his last outing with seven strong innings against the Milwaukee Brewers.
On the season, he is 5-4 with a 4.57 ERA in 11 starts.
The Marlins offense hasn’t helped their pitchers cause in losing the two first games of the series, tallying a total of four runs. Ronny Paulino’s RBI single in the seventh stood as their only run in Saturday’s setback.