Houston @ New York preview
Citi Field
Last Meeting ( Aug 28, 2010 ) Houston 4, NY Mets 1
The season statistics indicate the Houston Astros' pitching staff has been below average in the National League, but the New York Mets might suggest the statistics lie.
Houston's hurlers have been anything but ordinary against New York, allowing a total of 12 runs in six games against the Mets this season. They've allowed a total of three runs in the first two games of their current series at Citi Field, and they hope 25-year-old right-hander Bud Norris can continue the trend in the rubber game of the series this afternoon.
The Astros' pitching staff has been outstanding recently, allowing three runs or fewer in 14 of 16 games. Houston is 11-5 during that stretch.
New York has been the unlucky recipient of six of those strong performances as it continues to struggle to score runs at home.
The Mets have enjoyed a solid home-field advantage at Citi Field, where they are 38-25 this season, but they're trying to avoid losing their third consecutive series there. The suddenly punchless offense has been the prime culprit, as the Mets have scored two runs or fewer in eight of their last 12 home games.
Norris (6-7, 5.03 ERA) looks to add to that trend when he goes for his fifth consecutive win today.
Over his last six starts, Norris is 4-0 with a 3.03 ERA, including three consecutive quality starts.
One of those wins came against the Mets on Aug. 19, when he held New York to two runs on two hits over seven innings. That outing marked the first time Norris faced the Mets, and no one on New York's roster has more than three at-bats against him.
Third baseman David Wright and first baseman Ike Davis are the only Mets regulars swinging hot bats lately. Wright, who went 1-for-4 with an RBI on Saturday, is 18-for-47 (.383) with four home runs and nine RBIs over his past 12 games. Davis had two hits Saturday, making the rookie 10-for-25 (.400) over his past eight games.
The Mets hope they can get a few more hitters to help back 35-year-old right-hander R.A. Dickey, who looks to continue his resurgent season. The knuckleballer has posted quality starts in 14 of his 19 outings since the Mets called him up May 19.
Dickey (8-5, 2.64 ERA) pitched well but didn't factor in the decision when he faced the Astros on Aug. 18, allowing two runs over 8 1/3 innings in a 3-2 Mets victory. He doesn't have a decision in three appearances against Houston, pitching to a 1.74 ERA in 10 1/3 innings against the Astros.
Carlos Lee, who had three RBIs in Saturday's 4-1 win, has dominated Dickey, going 7-for-11 (.636) with a home run. Geoff Blum has had success in limited action against him, going 3-for-7 (.429) with a homer.