The Mets enter this week seven games under .500 and seven games back of first place in the NL East. This week the Mets are at the friendly confines of Citi Field but are taking on two of the more talented teams in baseball, both of which have gotten off to good starts this year. The Mets first host the Cincinnati Reds before the division leading Atlanta Braves come to town. Let’s take a look now at the pitching matchups and key players who will be visiting Queens this week.
Cincinnati: Shaun Marcum vs. Johnny Cueto, Jonathon Niese vs. Mike Leake, Matt Harvey vs. Mat Latos.
The first thing that jumps off the page here is the Wednesday matinee matchup between aces Matt Harvey and Mat Latos. Neither has lost a decision this year as Latos comes in 4-0 with a 2.91 era. Reds’ first baseman Joey Votto is coming into this series on an absolute tear and will be one of the keys to Mets staying in ball games against Cincy. Votto is hitting .583 in the last seven days and he has collected nine home runs in the month of May.
Atlanta: Jeremy Hefner vs. Kris Medlen, Dillon Gee vs. Mike Minor, Marcum vs. Julio Teheran.
The Mets get an excellent chance this weekend to make up some ground in the NL East as they get to host the Braves for a big weekend set. The Mets pitchers will need to keep the powerful Braves lineup from lighting them up with home runs while men are on base. Hopefully the spacious confines of Citi hinder some of the Braves’ power. The key to this attack is Justin Upton who has 14 home runs this year, however he was held to just one hit in seven at bats in his first series against the Mets this season.
Article by Sam Jackson