Fresh off of a much needed off-day, the Braves make their last trip of the season to the big apple tonight to open a two-game series with the New York Mets. Yesterday was supposed to be a day off for the Mets, but they found themselves in Minnesota making up a postponed game from April 14. Because, you know, the outcome of that game could really alter the playoff landscape. Ahem. Ahem.
The Braves last played New York roughly a month ago, a series that has special significance for two reasons: first, Tim Hudson's broken ankle, and second, the Braves are 19-3 since that series. The Mets are 12-13 over the same time span. The Braves started their long winning streak after the Mets series, sweeping the Cardinals and proceeding to go undefeated for two weeks. The Braves open a huge series in St. Louis on Thursday night. Perhaps lightning can strike twice.
One notable change since we last saw the Mets: they've called up Travis d'Arnaud, the jewel they acquired in the deal that sent R.A. Dickey to Toronto. He has accumulated twelve major league at bats but has yet to get a hit, though he does have five walks. d'Arnaud is generally considered to be the Mets' catcher of the future, and he likely would have been up much sooner had he not fractured his first metatarsal in his left foot back in April.
The Mets have been a surprise this season; outside of Atlanta, they have likely had the most successful season of all the NL East teams. The emergence of Matt Harvey, Zach Wheeler, and Juan Lagares, not to mention the good work of Dillon Gee, is a net-positive for this franchise. With that said, they have some looming financial obligations that will surely make things tough on ownership; chiefly, the $320M loan against the team is due in June 2014. Their total debt against SNY (owners of broadcasting rights) is over $600M and is due in 2015. Luckily for them, the contracts of Jason Bay and Johan Santana come off the books after this season, freeing up $32M. Though these numbers seem daunting, the general consensus amongst those in the industry is that the Mets will have money to spend this winter. It would not be surprising to see them contending sooner rather than later, possibly as soon as next season, but more likely 2015 and beyond.
The Pitchers:
Zach Wheeler goes tonight in his third start of the year against the Braves. Wheeler has been hit-or-miss lately, pitching a twelve-strikeout gem against San Diego in his last start, but getting lit up by the Royals two starts before that. His last appearance against the Braves wasn't his best either: 6 IP, 5 K, 2 BB, 4 H, 3 ER, 2 HR. Remember, this is the guy many people were comparing Matt Harvey to before he came up and began dominating, so the talent is there, but he can get wild. If he doesn't show up with precision control, look for the Braves to wait him out, tire him down, and let him get himself into bad situations.
Game two features Jon Niese, who has finally returned to the Mets rotation since going on the DL on June 20. In his two starts since his return, he has gotten roughed up by Arizona, but he dominated against San Diego. This hasn't been a great season for Niese, and things don't get any easier against Atlanta, a team that has lit him up in both his starts against them this season. His line against the Braves this season: 7.1 IP, 15 H, 10 ER, 6 BB, 8 K, 0 HR. In fairness to him, the start that he was pulled from due to injury came against Atlanta, so it's hard to say just how accurate the numbers are as an indication of his abilities. Niese doesn't give up many homers, nor does he allow many balls in the air. He features a four-seam, two-seam, and a cutter, mixed in with a curve and a change. He's not a high-velocity guy, instead more of a command and control pitcher, and he has struggled with those two aspects of his game this season. Expect to see Atlanta load up with right-handed hitters, as the lefty Niese is vulnerable against them.
Series matchups:
Tonight, 7:10 (local broadcast)
Brandon Beachy v. Zach Wheeler
Wednesday, 1:10 (local broadcast)
Alex Wood v. Jon Niese
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