Mets-Braves Series Preview

The Mets head back to Shea after winning six out of seven in Washington and Pittsburgh, and in first place by a game and a half. They did what they were supposed to do against the teams they’re supposed to do it against (didn’t Yogi Berra once say that?). The bullpen is still the big question mark of the team, though. You’d like to see the offense score more than two runs against the Pirates yesterday, but you’d also like to see the relief corps not cough up five runs in three innings. Luis Ayala, a bullpen turns its lonely eyes to you.

Remember when the Mets and Braves had a rivalry? That didn’t last long. The Braves are now one of the teams the Mets need to beat up on. Atlanta is entrenched in fourth place, and the glory days are now long gone. They’re not even on TBS anymore. Their announcers were an instant cure for my insomnia, as they had a nice soothing quality about them.

“Here’s Chipper.”

Forty-five seconds of silence.

“I hope he gets a hit.”

Crickets chirping.

“I decided to wear blue slacks today.”

Chipper Jones grounds out to second.

“I think it’s going to rain tomorrow.”

They remind me of my grandparents having a conversation on the front porch. I didn’t think I’d miss them but I do. Do I have to start tuning in to WGN for my bad announcing fix?

Here are the pitching matchups:

Tuesday: Jo-Jo Reyes (3-9, 5.33) vs. Oliver Perez (9-7, 3.91)

Wednesday: Jair Jurrjens (11-8, 3.15) vs. Mike Pelfrey (11-8, 3.91)

Thursday: Mike Hampton (2-1, 6.92) vs. Pedro Martinez (4-3, 4.96)

Mets Among League Leaders:

Jose Reyes: First in NL in hits (161), triples (14) and multiple hit games (50), 10^th in average (.304), third in runs (88) and second in stolen bases (40).

David Wright: Third in NL in RBIs (95), fifth in doubles (34), fourth in walks (75), sixth in runs (84) and ninth in hits (141).

Johan Santana: Fourth in NL in ERA (2.75), second in innings pitched (177) and eighth in strikeouts (148).

Ex-Mets on the Braves:

Tom Glavine: He’s 2-4 with a 5.54 ERA in 2008, and is now out for the season. I hope you’re enjoying your time back home, Tom. Thank god you’re not on the Mets anymore.

Mike Hampton: He’s actually not on the DL, which is a complete miracle. But thank god he’s not on the Mets anymore.

Ruben Gotay: He’s batting .225 with two home runs and six RBIs. Thank god he’s not on the Mets anymore.

Royce Ring: He was recently released after putting up the worst numbers for a Braves pitcher who appeared in as many games as he did since the 1870s. He was 2-1 with an 8.46 ERA, a 1.88 WHIP, a .333 batting average against and a .400 OBP against. He couldn’t even crack the Mets bullpen with those numbers. Thank god he’s not on the Mets anymore.