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preGame: Mets vs Braves (Game Three)

by Mike Nichols on April 27th, 2008 at 12:22 pm

The Game:

The Mets (12-11) look to take the rubber-game of their three-game series against the Braves (12-12) today at Shea Stadium, starting at 1:10 pm EST.

The Lineup:

The Pitchers:

RHP Nelson Figueroa (1-1, 4.05 ERA) toes the rubber for the Mets. Figueroa earned a loss in his last start on April 22 versus the Cubs, allowing three runs on hits and five walks while striking out two over five innings pitched. In seven games, two starts versus the Braves in his career, Figueroa is 1-0 with a 3.65 ERA. During Figueroa’s first 45 pitches of the game opponents are 4-for-48 (.083).

RHP John Smoltz (3-1, 0.78 ERA) starts for the Braves. Smoltz’s first loss of the season in his last start on April 22 versus the Nationals, surrendering one run on five hits, while striking out 10 over seven innings pitched. He also struck out his 3,000th career batter in his start versus the Nationals. In 61 career appearances, 41 starts, he is 18-14 with a 3.37 ERA versus the Mets.

The Notes:

Chipper Jones (back spasms) & Yunel Escobar (cracked fingernail) are out of the Braves lineup today.

Carlos Delgado is 12-for-42 (.286) with 4 HR and 12 RBI in his career versus Smoltz.

The Braves are second in the National League with a .283 batting average.

Mark Teixeira is batting .333 (10-for-30) with 1 HR and 7 RBI in his last seven games.

Duaner Sanchez has allowed two in hits over 6.2 IP in his seven appearances since returning to the team on April 15.

For more insight on the Braves, check out Blogger Beat.

How To Catch It:

Today’s game can be seen locally on CW11 and heard locally on WFAN.

The Bleachers:

For a live chat, head over to The Hot Foot Bleachers.

…enjoy, and as always, Let’s Go Mets…