Atlanta @ New York preview
Citi Field
Last Meeting ( Aug 7, 2011 ) Atlanta 6, NY Mets 5
THE STORY: The Atlanta Braves are streaking in the right direction as they prepare to begin a three-game road series against the National League East rival New York Mets on Friday. At first glance, the series doesn't seem too daunting for the Braves, who have won seven of their last eight to pull within six games of the division-leading Philadelphia Phillies. In addition, the woe-begotten Mets have amassed three separate five-game losing skids in the last month - their latest one coming to an end following a 7-4 victory over the Phillies on Wednesday. For all their respective fortune this season, the Mets and Braves have split their first 12 games this season.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, SPSO, SNY
PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Tim Hudson (13-7, 3.01 ERA) vs. Mets LH Chris Capuano (9-11, 4.71 ERA)
Hudson has won four in a row and eight of his last nine decisions. The 36-year-old Georgia native scattered three hits over seven innings and struck out seven in a 1-0 triumph over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday. Hudson has fared well versus the Mets in his career, posting a 14-8 mark. He split a pair of starts against New York, winning his most recent outing on Aug. 5 when he allowed one run on three hits in seven innings.
After a sizzling start, Capuano has recorded just one win since July 9. The 33-year-old Massachusetts native remained winless in August after he permitted seven runs on five hits in 5 2/3 innings in a wild 11-9 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers. Capuano has won just two of five career decisions against the Braves, although he only had a brief relief appearance versus the NL East rival this season. His last start versus Atlanta came on Sept. 23, 2007.
ABOUT THE BRAVES (79-53): Brian McCann is showing signs of working off the rust. The All-Star catcher belted a pair of homers in Thursday's 8-3 victory over the Chicago Cubs. McCann was mired in a 5-for-36 slump since coming off the disabled list. He is just 2-for-6 in his career against Capuano. Michael Bourn tied a career high with four hits on Thursday. He went 2-for-13 in the rest of the series. Righthander Tommy Hanson flew back to Atlanta to have his sore right shoulder re-examined. Hanson saw his bullpen session cut short on Monday after experiencing soreness after only nine pitches.
ABOUT THE METS (61-68): Superstar shortstop Jose Reyes went 0-for-1 with a walk and a run scored during a stint with Double-A Binghamton on Thursday. Reyes, who is dealing with a hamstring issue, played only five innings. He is expected to remain in Binghamton for the weekend before rejoining the Mets for Monday's game against the Florida Marlins. Second baseman Justin Turner has struggled mightily over his last seven games, going 3-for-24. Third baseman David Wright snapped out of a pronounced slump with a 3-for-4 effort on Wednesday. Wright, who had just 3-for-23 prior to the contest, is 13-for-57 in his career versus Hudson.
FINAL PITCH: "I don't give a (expletive) what they say. That's his opinion. Ask him how he felt when he was in a five-game losing streak. You're on edge." — New York manager Terry Collins responding to comments made on air by Phillies announcer Gary Matthews Sr., who said that the Mets are losing because they are crybabies.