Trend sheet 5/17

[cisco]

Hot Pitchers
-- Jimenez is 2-0, 1.29 in his last two starts.
-- Park is 1-0, 1.50 in his last two starts.
-- Duke is 2-2, 2.20 in his last four starts.
-- Garland is 1-0, 1.35 in his two road starts. Braves won Lowe's last four starts, scoring total of 33 runs (4-0, 4.26).
-- Moehler is 0-0, 2.25 in two starts since coming off the DL. Cubs won last five Harden starts (4-0, 3.77), scoring 37 runs.
-- Parra is 2-0, 3.00 in his last three starts.
-- Arroyo is 5-2 for the Reds, but in his two losses, he allowed 18 runs in only 6.2 IP. Peavy has 2.14 RA in his last three starts, but San Diego lost his last five outings, scoring total of nine runs.
-- Cain is 3-1, 3.00 in seven starts this season. Mets won Pelfrey's last four starts (3-0, 3.60).

-- Halladay is 4-0, 2.53 in his last four starts.
-- Slowey is 4-1, 3.72 in his last five starts.
-- Oakland won last three Cahill starts (2-0, 1.89).
-- Weaver is 2-0, 1.86 in his last four starts. Feldman is 3-0, 2.74 in four starts this season.
-- Vargas allowed one run in five IP in his first '09 start, at Texas.


Cold Pitchers
-- Dodgers are 0-4 in Kershaw road starts (0-3, 9.47; 1-0, 0.47 at home).
Koronka allowed five runs in 4.2 IP in his first '09 start, a 6-3 loss to the Brewers at Miller Park.
-- Zimmerman is 0-1, 8.15 in his last three starts.
-- Wellemeyer has a 6.95 RA in four home starts.

-- Floyd is 0-2, 10.18 in his last four starts.
-- Burnett is 0-1, 6.47 in his last five starts.
-- Lefty Huff makes first major league start; he was 5-1, 4.35 in seven AAA starts this year. Sonnanstine is 1-4, 7.53 in seven '09 starts.
-- Galarraga is 0-3, 8.64 in his last three starts. .
-- Uehara is 1-2, 7.23 in three road starts. Hochevar gave up eight runs in two IP in his first '09 start Tuesday in Oakland.
-- Masterson is 0-2, 6.87 in his last three starts.

Hot Teams
-- Cubs won eight of their last nine home games. Astros won five of their last seven games.
-- Phillies won their last three games, scoring 25 runs.
-- Brewers won ten of their last twelve games. Cardinals are 11-4 in their last fifteen home games.
-- Braves won seven of their last ten games.
-- Dodgers won eleven of their last sixteen games.
-- Cincinnati won 10 of its last 15 road games, but lost last two.
-- Mets won eleven of their last thirteen games.


-- Bronx won five of its last six games.
-- Toronto won eleven of its last fifteen home games.
-- Tigers won five of their last six home games.
-- Rays won three of their last four home games.
-- Rangers won twelve of their last fourteen games. Angels won six of their last nine games, but lost last two here in Arlington.


Cold Teams
-- Pirates lost nine of their last thirteen games. Rockies are 4-9 in their last thirteen road games.
-- Nationals lost six of their last seven games.
-- Giants lost their last four games, allowing 30 runs.
-- Marlins lost eleven of their last fifteen games.
-- Arizona lost six of eight games since changing managers.
-- Padres lost six of their last eight games, but won last two.

-- Twins lost their last five road games.
-- White Sox lost six of their last seven road games.
-- A's lost nine of their last eleven road games.
-- Indians lost seven of their last ten games.
-- Orioles lost ten of their last thirteen road games. Royals lost seven of their last eight games.
-- Red Sox lost three of their last four games. Mariners lost nine of their last eleven games.


Totals
-- Over is 6-2-2 in last ten games at Wrigley Field.
-- Over is 12-2-1 in Philadelphia road games.
-- Six of last eight Colorado road games stayed under total.
-- Over is 11-6-1 in Dodgers' last eighteen road games.
-- Under is 10-1-2 in Arizona road games.
-- Four of last five Milwaukee road games went over the total.
-- Under is 11-5-1 in Cincinnati's last seventeen road games.
-- Nine of Mets' last ten games went over the total.


-- Under is 7-0-1 in Minnesota's last eight road games.
-- Six of last nine White Sox games stayed under the total.
-- Last four Detroit games went over the total.
-- Nine of last eleven Cleveland road games went over the total.
-- Nine of last twelve Angel games stayed under the total.
-- Over is 10-4-1 in Baltimore road games.
-- Under is 3-1-1 in Red Sox' last five road games.

Umpires
-- LA-Fla-- Favorite won four of last five Schrieber games.
-- Phil-Wsh-- Five of last six Reilly games went over the total.
-- Az-Atl-- Home team won five of last six Winters games.
-- Colo-Pitt-- Underdog won four of last six BWelke games.
-- Mil-StL-- Five of last six Wegner games went over the total.
-- Hst-Chi-- Three of four Campos games stayed under the total.
-- Cin-SD-- Underdog won four of Runge's six games behind the plate.
-- NY-SF-- Three of last four Knight games stayed under total

-- Min-NY-- Home side won three of four Fairchild games.
-- A's-Det-- Underdog won three of four Tichenor games.
-- Chi-Tor-- Three of last four Iassogna games stayed under the total.
-- Clev-TB-- Under is 6-2-1 in Barrett games this season.
-- Blt-KC-- Underdog won five of last six Dimuro games.
-- LA-Tex-- Five of last seven Drake games went over the total.
-- Bos-Sea-- Underdog won five of seven Wolf games.

 

[cisco]

MINNESOTA vs. NY YANKEES
Minnesota is 2-6 SU in their last 8 games when playing NY Yankees
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota's last 6 games when playing NY Yankees
NY Yankees are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against Minnesota
NY Yankees are 6-2 SU in their last 8 games when playing Minnesota

OAKLAND vs. DETROIT
Oakland is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Detroit
Oakland is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing Detroit
Detroit is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Detroit's last 9 games at home

CHI WHITE SOX vs. TORONTO
Chi White Sox are 1-5 SU in their last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Chi White Sox's last 9 games
Toronto is 12-2 SU in their last 14 games when playing Chi White Sox
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Toronto's last 8 games when playing Chi White Sox

LA DODGERS vs. FLORIDA
LA Dodgers are 2-4 SU in their last 6 games when playing Florida
The total has gone OVER in 9 of LA Dodgers's last 12 games when playing Florida
Florida is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games
Florida is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home

ARIZONA vs. ATLANTA
Arizona is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Arizona's last 6 games
Atlanta is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Arizona
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Atlanta's last 8 games when playing Arizona

COLORADO vs. PITTSBURGH
Colorado is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games
Colorado is 4-9 SU in its last 13 games on the road
Pittsburgh is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games when playing Colorado
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Pittsburgh's last 6 games when playing Colorado

PHILADELPHIA vs. WASHINGTON
Philadelphia is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Washington
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 6 games when playing Washington
Washington is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Washington's last 7 games

CLEVELAND vs. TAMPA BAY
Cleveland is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Cleveland's last 6 games
Tampa Bay is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Cleveland
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 5 games when playing at home against Cleveland

BALTIMORE vs. KANSAS CITY
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Baltimore's last 5 games
Baltimore is 16-4 SU in its last 20 games when playing Kansas City
Kansas City is 2-10 SU in its last 12 games when playing at home against Baltimore
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Kansas City's last 6 games when playing at home against Baltimore

MILWAUKEE vs. ST. LOUIS
Milwaukee is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against St. Louis
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Milwaukee's last 8 games when playing on the road against St. Louis
St. Louis is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games when playing Milwaukee
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of St. Louis's last 7 games when playing Milwaukee

HOUSTON vs. CHI CUBS
Houston is 1-7 SU in their last 8 games when playing Chi Cubs
The total has gone UNDER in 17 of Houston's last 25 games when playing Chi Cubs
Chi Cubs are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chi Cubs's last 5 games

LA ANGELS vs. TEXAS
LA Angels are 9-4 SU in their last 13 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of LA Angels's last 9 games
Texas is 2-4 SU in their last 6 games when playing at home against LA Angels
Texas is 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing LA Angels

CINCINNATI vs. SAN DIEGO
Cincinnati is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games when playing on the road against San Diego
Cincinnati is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games
San Diego is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Cincinnati
San Diego is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games when playing at home against Cincinnati

BOSTON vs. SEATTLE
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 6 games
Boston is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Seattle
Seattle is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Seattle's last 8 games when playing at home against Boston

NY METS vs. SAN FRANCISCO
NY Mets are 11-2 SU in its last 13 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of NY Mets's last 8 games
San Francisco is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing NY Mets
The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Francisco's last 5 games when playing NY Mets

 

[cisco]

Sunday Night Baseball: Mets at Giants
By Marc Lawrence

New York Mets at San Francisco Giants (-102, 8.5)

The Mets conclude a weekend visit to San Francisco when they take on the Giants under the ESPN Sunday night-lights.

New York has won the first three games of this four-game series, most recently a 9-6 victory Saturday afternoon. The Mets put up a total of 16 hits, four of which came from outfielder Carlos Beltran.

He is hitting over .460 BA for the series and leads the National League in batting, posting a .379 BA with six home runs and 28 RBI on the year.

New York will send Mike Pelfrey (4-0 4.89 ERA) to the mound against Matt Cain (3-1 3.00 ERA) in a matchup of promising young right-handers.

The king and his ailing court

Mets first baseman Carlos Delgado passed New York Yankees legend Mickey Mantle for 48th place all time on MLB?s RBI leader board last week. King Carlos has not played since May 11, out with a sore hip, and was put on the disabled list Saturday.

The main cause for concern with the Mets is the starting rotation. That?s because Mets starters other than Johan Santana had a recent stint where they combined for a 7.43 ERA and just four wins in 14 starts.

New York Manager Jerry Manuel let it be known that he was running out of patience.

"I'm at the bridge," he told reporters. "I'm not jumping. But if I'm at the bridge, I have to take some folks with me."

Jon Niese lasted two turns in the rotation as the replacement for Oliver Perez, who had a 9.97 ERA when he was demoted to the bullpen, before being placed on the DL with tendonitis in his right knee.

Niese allowed five runs on seven hits and two walks in 4 2/3 innings against the Braves Wednesday afternoon before being optioned to Triple-A Buffalo. Meanwhile, Perez continues to work hard at regaining his confidence.

"I have to keep working to get back,? Perez told reporters. ?The important thing is to bring my confidence back. I have to work on everything, because I haven't been throwing a lot of strikes."

Toeing the rubber

Like other New York starters, Mike Pelfrey continues to struggle while looking to firmly establish himself as a permanent fixture in the starting rotation.

When Pelfrey struck out Atlanta?s Kelly Johnson to open Tuesday's game against the Braves, it was his first K since getting Washington's Nick Johnson back on April 25. Pelfrey?s 4-0 record this season belies the fact that he has issued 15 walks against only nine strikeouts on the year.

San Francisco?s Matt Cain has been steady at home where the Giants are 8-3 in his last eleven team starts. He has struggled during the month of May, going 7-12 in his career team starts, including 3-7 at AT&T Park.

The history book says

The Mets had won five in a row against the Giants prior to the start of this series on Friday. They rolled to wins in the first three games of this four-game set, totaling 24 runs.

San Francisco has countered with combined 16 runs in those games, matching their average offensive output of just over five runs per game.

Sunday?s have been much to San Francisco?s liking where they are 10-3 the last thirteen games, whereas the Mets have struggled of late on Sundays, going 1-6 their last seven games.

 

[cisco]

Shootout at AT&T Park?
By Judd Hall

I know it?s only May, but the Mets and Giants are both hoping to see each other come October. You?ve got to dream big sometimes, right?

New York?s (20-15, +87) season is going exactly as planned since it is sitting two games ahead of the Phillies for the top spot in the National League East. It might have something to do with the fact that the Mets are tops in the Senior Circuit with a .291 batting average. Or could it be because their pitching staff is fourth in the league with a 4.00 earned run average?

When you look at the Mets? offense, you?re seeing Carlos Beltran rank second in the NL with a .370 batting average. David Wright is also playing well by hitting .341 with three home runs and 24 runs batted in. Jerry Manuel will need them to keep up the pace now that first baseman Carlos Delgado just went onto the disabled list retroactive to May 11 with a right hip injury.

Beltran and Wright have helped New York score at least seven runs in six of its last nine fixtures, losing just once. And when you?ve got a batting order scoring runs in bunches like that, then you can count on the high combined scores to come through. Bettors taking the ?over? have done just that as it?s on an 8-1 run.

Helping those high totals coming through is the Mets? defense ranking 11th in the NL with a .982 fielding percentage. That might not be too much to worry about when you consider that New York finished third in the league last year with a fielding percentage of 98.6.

Oddly enough, fielding has been Mike Pelfrey?s best friend. New York?s starter is 4-1 with a 4.89 ERA for the season. Pelfrey?s ball is play average (BIPA) is among the worst in the National League at .273. The opposition is also hitting .296 versus the right-hander during the 2009 campaign.

Despite those numbers that suggest high numbers for a combined score, the ?over? is just 3-2-1 when Pelfrey gets the starting nod.

San Francisco (18-17, +24) had a prime chance to make a move in the National League West after the Dodgers lost Manny Ramirez?s services for 50 games on May 7. And the Giants looked like they were striking while the iron is hot with five wins in their first six games after the Ramirez suspension.

The Giants have since come back to Earth with three straight setbacks, two of which when they were listed as favorites (and they?ve lost the first two games of the series against the Mets). All isn?t bad for bettors when it comes to San Fran. If they backed the ?over,? the gambling public will have cashed at an 8-2-1 clip.

San Fran will send Matt Cain out to start at AT&T Park this Sunday. The Giants? right-hander has put together a 3-1 record with an ERA of 3.00 this season. Yet the team is just 4-3 in the seven starts Cain has had in 2009. The ?over? has also been a smart play at the betting shops as it is 5-1-1 in those starting assignments for Cain.

Most betting shops have installed the Giants as $1.20 home favorites (risk $120 to win $100) with a total of 8 ?.

We?ve harped on high scores here for both starting pitchers, but it?s important when looking at these teams when playing by the Bay. Another reason to play the ?over? here is that it is 6-2 when the Mets and Giants have played in San Francisco since the start of the 2007 season.

First pitch for this game is set for 8:05 p.m. EDT with ESPN handling the broadcasting duties.

 

[cisco]

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Milwaukee (22-14) at St. Louis (21-15)

The surging Brewers send left-hander Manny Parra (2-4, 4.82 ERA) to the mound against the Cardinals? Todd Wellemeyer (3-3, 5.80) and this weekend series resumes at Busch Stadium, with both squads among a four-team logjam at the top of the N.L. Central Division.

After Friday?s game was postponed by rain, these rivals opened their first series of the season against each other on Saturday and Milwaukee rode a second-inning Corey Hart home run to a 1-0 victory. Four pitchers combined on the shutout for the Brewers, who are on an 18-5 tear in their last 23 games, winning the last four in a row and six of the last seven. Furthermore, Milwaukee, which now sits alone atop the N.L. Central standings, is on a 9-2 run in division play and has won eight of its last 10 road games.

St. Louis has now dropped five of its last seven games and is 1-5 in its last six against winning teams. Still, the Redbirds still sport positive streaks of 21-9 at Busch Stadium, 7-2 against left-handed starters and 5-0 facing southpaws at home.

Milwaukee has owned this rivalry lately, going 8-1 in the last nine clashes overall and 7-1 in its last eight games in St. Louis.

The Brewers came up empty in Parra?s first five starts of the season, with the lefty going 0-4 and posting a 5.33 ERA in the process, but Milwaukee has won in his last two outings ?a 15-3 victory at Cincinnati on May 6 and a 6-3 home win over Florida on Tuesday. Parra is 1-3 with a 6.05 ERA in four road starts this season, and the Brew Crew is on slides of 2-9 in his last 11 outings overall and 1-7 in his last eight road appearances.

Wellemeyer got torched for seven runs (all earned) in just 4 1/3 innings in his last outing, Tuesday?s 7-1 setback at Pittsburgh, and he?s allowed four or more in runs in four of his seven starts this season. The 30-year-old is 1-2 with a 6.55 ERA in four home efforts, and St. Louis is 1-7 in the right-hander?s last eight home starts against winning teams and 0-5 in his last five Sunday outings.

In six career appearances (five starts) against St. Louis, Parra has yet to get a decision, going 0-0 with a 3.77 ERA. Wellemeyer is 0-2 with a 5.88 ERA in 10 career appearances (three starts) against Milwaukee.

The over for Milwaukee is on rolls of 7-4 overall, 4-1 on the highway and 4-1-2 behind Parra on the road. On the flip side, the under for St. Louis is on stretches of 12-3-1 at home against winning teams and 6-2-1 against lefty starters, and with Wellemeyer taking the ball, the under is on runs of 9-4 overall, 4-0 against winning teams and 6-1 on Sunday.

Finally, in this rivalry, the under is 5-1-1 in the last seven meetings overall and 6-1-1 in the last seven contests in St. Louis.

ATS ADVANTAGE: ST. LOUIS


AMERICAN LEAGUE

L.A. Angels (18-17) at Texas (22-14)

Scott Feldman (2-0, 4.85 ERA) leads the red-hot Rangers as they wrap up a three-game series at Rangers Ballpark against the A.L. West rival Angels, who will start right-hander Jared Weaver (3-1, 2.45).

Texas, coming off a 10-8 win in Friday?s opener, eked out a 5-3 victory over Los Angeles on Saturday to extend its winning streak to six in a row. The Rangers have won 12 of their last 14 overall and they?re on additional rolls of 7-0 at home, 9-1 against right-handed starters and 8-1 in divisional contests.

Despite losing the first two games of this series, Los Angeles remains on a 9-4 overall run, and the Halos are on additional upswings of 6-3 against winning teams and 20-8 on Sunday. However, they?ve now dropped seven of their last nine games on the highway against teams with a winning record.

The Angels are still 8-5 in the last 13 clashes in this rivalry, including 4-2 in Texas.

Feldman has racked up five no-decisions among his seven starts this season, but he?s been solid in his last two stints, allowing three earned runs over 12 1/3 innings (2.19 ERA). On Tuesday against Seattle, Feldman yielded just one run on four hits in six innings, getting a no-decision in a 7-1 home victory. He?s got a 5.82 ERA in four home appearances (two starts) this season. Texas is 4-1 in the right-hander?s last five outings, but prior to Tuesday?s win over Seattle, it has lost seven consecutive Feldman starts at home.

Weaver is 2-0 with three no-decisions in his last five starts. The 26-year-old is coming off a strong effort Tuesday against the Red Sox, allowing one run on four hits in seven innings, but he got little offensive support as Los Angeles blew a 3-1, eighth-inning lead and lost 4-3 at home. Weaver is 0-1 with an inflated 6.55 ERA in two road starts, and the Angels are 0-4 in his last four outings on the highway dating to last season. However, the Halos have won Weaver?s last four Sunday stints.

Feldman is 1-3 with a 6.39 ERA in 13 career appearances (four starts) against Los Angeles, while Weaver is 2-1 with a 2.54 ERA in nine career starts against Texas, including 1-1 with a 1.80 ERA in four starts at Rangers Ballpark.

The under for Texas is on rolls of 6-2 overall, 7-3-1 on Sunday and 21-8 behind Feldman (including 5-1 at home), and the under for Los Angeles is on streaks of 7-2 overall, 5-0 on the road against winning teams and 4-1 with Weaver starting. In addition, the total has stayed low in five of Weaver?s last six starts against the Rangers (5-0-1), and all four of Weaver?s starts in Texas have played to the under.

ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER

 

[cisco]

Hot lines: Today?s best MLB bets
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Minnesota Twins at New York Yankees (-173, 10)

Mark Teixeira had a splendid first turn as the New York Yankees' designated hitter. He'll look for a encore Sunday while trying to continue his success against the Minnesota Twins.

The Yankees will also try for a season-high fifth straight win when they continue a four-game series with the visiting Twins.

After getting bumped on his left wrist during a play at first base Friday night, Teixeira was put at DH only after New York manager Joe Girardi made sure Alex Rodriguez could also play third. He missed three games earlier this season with an injury to the same wrist.

Teixeira responded with his best game for the Yankees (19-17), going 4-for-4 in Saturday's 6-4 victory in 11 innings. He finished a triple shy of the cycle and accounted for all of New York's runs in regulation with a season-high four RBIs, hitting a three-run homer in the third and a tying single in the eighth.

"I was just getting good pitches to hit," Teixeira said. "I got four good pitches to hit and I didn't miss them."

That set up Rodriguez to play the role of hero with a two-run homer in the 11th. It was the first hit at the new Yankee Stadium for the third baseman, who was playing in his second home game of the season following hip surgery and admission of performance-enhancing drug use.

"For me, I gave (the media) something to talk about and write about in the 11th inning and I didn't have to open my mouth," said Rodriguez, who is hitting .154 with two home runs since returning. "That's kind of the way I want things, you know. Stay out of my own way."

In his team's four consecutive wins, Teixeira is 9 for 16 (.563) with three doubles, a home run and seven RBIs, and has raised his batting average from .191 to .238. He has batted .369 in his career against the Twins - his best against an AL opponent - and has homered in four of the last six meetings.

Teixeira doubled and homered in his only career meeting with Sunday's scheduled starter for Minnesota (18-19), Kevin Slowey (5-1, 4.91 ERA).

Pick: Over 10


New York Mets at San Francisco Giants (-102, 8.5)

The New York Mets found out Saturday that they'd be without the injured Carlos Delgado for a while, a loss that would seem to leave a big hole in the middle of their lineup.

The San Francisco Giants can attest New York will be just fine without him.

Led by their surging offense, the Mets will look to complete their first four-game sweep in San Francisco on Sunday night as they also try to win for the 12th time in 14 games.

Delgado hit .423 with a homer and seven RBIs as the Mets (21-15) averaged more than six runs during a seven-game winning streak from May 4-10, but the first baseman hasn't played since due to an impingement of his right hip.

On Saturday, the 36-year-old Delgado was placed on the disabled list retroactive to Monday, and he may remain there well longer than 15 days.

The Mets, though, have pushed ahead without Delgado by averaging 6.3 runs over their last six games. Carlos Beltran and David Wright had three RBIs apiece as New York won 9-6 on Saturday.

The Mets have never swept a four-game set in San Francisco, and this is their 19th series of at least four games in the Bay Area since 1962.

They'd feel better about their chances of doing it for the first time if Jose Reyes, who hasn't started a game in the series due to stiffness in his right calf, can return Sunday. He's day-to-day.

Even without Reyes' 11 stolen bases, New York has swiped 13 so far in the series.

"The key for us is to try and manufacture runs,'' manager Jerry Manuel said. "With the way we've been running, it creates a diversion for the opposition that they have to start paying attention to us a little bit."

Beltran and Wright have stolen seven bases while driving in 12 runs thus far in the series, but New York's offense has a better chance of continuing to click if Gary Sheffield can help make up for the loss of Delgado. The newest member of baseball's 500-home run club is 9 for 18 with a homer in four starts in the Mets' cleanup spot.

Pick: New York -106

 

[cisco]

Sunday Night Baseball
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

New York Mets at San Francisco Giants (-102, 8.5)

The Mets conclude a weekend visit to San Francisco when they take on the Giants under the ESPN Sunday night-lights.

New York has won the first three games of this four-game series, most recently a 9-6 victory Saturday afternoon. The Mets put up a total of 16 hits, four of which came from outfielder Carlos Beltran.

He is hitting over .460 BA for the series and leads the National League in batting, posting a .379 BA with six home runs and 28 RBI on the year.

New York will send Mike Pelfrey (4-0 4.89 ERA) to the mound against Matt Cain (3-1 3.00 ERA) in a matchup of promising young right-handers.

The king and his ailing court

Mets first baseman Carlos Delgado passed New York Yankees legend Mickey Mantle for 48th place all time on MLB?s RBI leader board last week. King Carlos has not played since May 11, out with a sore hip, and was put on the disabled list Saturday.

The main cause for concern with the Mets is the starting rotation. That?s because Mets starters other than Johan Santana had a recent stint where they combined for a 7.43 ERA and just four wins in 14 starts.

New York Manager Jerry Manuel let it be known that he was running out of patience.

"I'm at the bridge," he told reporters. "I'm not jumping. But if I'm at the bridge, I have to take some folks with me."

Jon Niese lasted two turns in the rotation as the replacement for Oliver Perez, who had a 9.97 ERA when he was demoted to the bullpen, before being placed on the DL with tendonitis in his right knee.

Niese allowed five runs on seven hits and two walks in 4 2/3 innings against the Braves Wednesday afternoon before being optioned to Triple-A Buffalo. Meanwhile, Perez continues to work hard at regaining his confidence.

"I have to keep working to get back,? Perez told reporters. ?The important thing is to bring my confidence back. I have to work on everything, because I haven't been throwing a lot of strikes."

Toeing the rubber

Like other New York starters, Mike Pelfrey continues to struggle while looking to firmly establish himself as a permanent fixture in the starting rotation.

When Pelfrey struck out Atlanta?s Kelly Johnson to open Tuesday's game against the Braves, it was his first K since getting Washington's Nick Johnson back on April 25. Pelfrey?s 4-0 record this season belies the fact that he has issued 15 walks against only nine strikeouts on the year.

San Francisco?s Matt Cain has been steady at home where the Giants are 8-3 in his last eleven team starts. He has struggled during the month of May, going 7-12 in his career team starts, including 3-7 at AT&T Park.

The history book says

The Mets had won five in a row against the Giants prior to the start of this series on Friday. They rolled to wins in the first three games of this four-game set, totaling 24 runs.

San Francisco has countered with combined 16 runs in those games, matching their average offensive output of just over five runs per game.

Sunday?s have been much to San Francisco?s liking where they are 10-3 the last thirteen games, whereas the Mets have struggled of late on Sundays, going 1-6 their last seven games.

:mj06: