Arizona @ New York preview
Citi Field
Last Meeting ( Jul 31, 2010 ) Arizona 4, NY Mets 5
New York Mets general manager Omar Minaya believes his team still has a shot at the postseason.
New York’s play over the last month has suggested otherwise, but a win on Sunday could give the Mets some much-needed confidence heading into a key series with the National League East-leading Atlanta Braves.
Jon Niese takes the hill today as the Mets seek to win consecutive games for the first time in over a month against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
New York's season began with promise, but the Mets suffered through a miserable July, going 9-17 and falling 6 ½ games behind the Braves.
The slide caused the Mets to stand pat at the trade deadline. But despite his inactivity Minaya hasn’t given up on the season. He told the team’s official website he feels the current roster “can win 10 in a row."
Right now, New York is just focused on winning two in a row. The Mets snapped a four-game losing streak to Arizona on Saturday with a 5-4 win, courtesy of a walk-off sacrifice fly from Carlos Beltran.
The Mets will now try to win two straight for the first time since June 22-23 behind Niese (7-4, 3.43 ERA), who has been outstanding lately.
The left-hander has allowed two runs or fewer in each of his last six starts. On Tuesday, he allowed just one run and seven hits in six innings of an 8-2 victory over St. Louis.
Winning a second series this week would give Jerry Manuel's club some momentum heading into Monday’s series opener against the Braves.
New York will also have some extra incentive to play well today as some of the franchise’s icons will be in the ballpark. The Mets will induct Darryl Strawberry, Dwight “Doc” Gooden, Davey Johnson and former GM Frank Cashen into their Hall of Fame with a ceremony prior to the 1:10 first pitch.
While the Mets chose not to make any moves at the deadline, the last-place Diamondbacks were one of the more active teams in terms of trading.
Daniel Hudson, who was the key player acquired in the deal that sent right-hander Edwin Jackson to the Chicago White Sox, will make his debut for Arizona. The 23-year-old went 1-1 with a 6.32 ERA in three starts with Chicago. He allowed five runs and six hits in five innings of a 6-4 loss to Oakland on Sunday.
Hudson could get some help from Justin Upton, who drove in three runs on Saturday and extended his hitting streak to 16 games. Upton is hitting .297 with two homers and 11 RBIs during his hitting streak.