Johnathon Niese 2-2 3.31 ERA is winless in his last three starts but holds a 5-1 2.93 ERA in his last seven starts vs. Atlanta yielding three runs in 21 Innings Pitched over the last three games in this matchup and is 2-1 3.00 ERA at Turner Field. Last night's game saw Atlanta fall behind early only to rally back, take the lead, give up the lead, and lose in extra innings with usually a stellar bullpen having a letdown at home. The Mets meanwhile have won two straight and after only scoring 11 Runs and batting .165 3 HR's in a six game losing streak have found several more gears now scoring 14 Runs .263 6 HR's in back to back road wins. Last night saw the Mets belt 4 HR's tying a season high. Atlanta scratched out some runs last night but overall are still .226 with 155+K's dropping 11 of 16. Teheran is 1-0 5.08 ERA with opponents hitting .333 and holds the highest ERA of any Braves Pitcher on the Active Roster. Teheran has had one quality start in five appearances but Atlanta has somehow won all of them scoring 31 Runs. Teheran has somehow managed to avoid big innings as of late allowing only 3 Runs with 18 Hits in 12 Innings Pitched in his last two starts. Teheran finally got his first win of the season at Colorado with seven innings of one run ball and Atlanta coaches seem to believe that Teheran is growing up and maturing before their eyes. Teheran will have to be extra sharp tonight if he hopes to derail the offensive momentum train the Mets are currently aboard. Upton is 5 for 11 vs. Niese without a HR and has not gone deep in past six games even though Upton still leads MLB in HR's. Atlanta took some small steps foward last night in hopes of solving their offensive problems but if the Braves don't continue to get better at the plate it could Night Night Niese for Atlanta at home tonight with Niese's outstanding past numbers in this matchup. Source: ESPN And USA Today MLB Preview.
