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The Mets Will Chop Down the Braves

Sunday’s Football Recap
Pick – Colts -6 over Saints - Loss
Rams -1 over Panthers - Loss
Bengals -2.5 over Ravens - Win
Result – Net Loss
Amount - 50 units
Season Bankroll - +$250

Today’s forecast.

Thank goodness for the Bengals cover on Monday night football. Prior to them winning for me, I had dropped 5 straight. I feel like I’m ready for another hotstreak. Today I like the Mets as they begin a series at home against their archrival Atlanta Braves. The Mets send Orlando Hernandez against Buddy Carlyle.

Hernandez skipped his turn last week due to a sore right foot, and his return -- plus Pedro Martinezs last week -- gives the Mets a healthy rotation for the first time all season.

New York is hoping the extra time off doesn hurt Hernandez, who has been one of the teams most consistent pitchers the last two months. Since June 29, the right-hander is 6-1 with a 3.84 ERA, and the Mets have gone 10-2 with him on the mound. He did not receive a decision in his last start on Aug. 30 after lasting just three innings. Hernandez gave up five runs and six hits -- including three homers -- in the 11-10 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies.

Hernandez is 3-1 with a 3.05 ERA in seven starts against the Braves. He does not have a decision against them in two outings this season, but has a 2.77 ERA. Hernandez looks to add to a series of outstanding outings by Mets starters over the last two weeks. New York has won nine of its last 10 games, and all nine wins -- most recently Mondays 3-2 victory over the Braves -- have come from the starting rotation.

Atlantas efforts Monday weren helped by the absences of Chipper Jones (strained muscle) and Andruw Jones (illness), who were scratched from the lineup minutes before the first pitch. Manager Bobby Cox said Chipper Jones was "doubtful" for Tuesday while Andruw Jones might be available.

The Mets, meanwhile, announced Carlos Delgado will miss the remainder of their nine-game homestand, which concludes with a three-game series against the NL Easts second-place Phillies this weekend. The first baseman has been out since last Wednesday because of a strained right hip flexor.

Buddy Carlyle (8-6, 5.21) will try to bounce back from a terrible outing and snap out of his recent funk. The right-hander, who has lost three of his last four decisions, lasted just 1 1-3 innings in a 5-2 loss to the Phillies last Tuesday, allowing three runs and four hits -- including two homers -- and three walks in his shortest start of the season.

Carlyle has given up eight homers in his last five starts, spanning 21 innings. His only start against the Mets was on Aug. 7, when he allowed three runs and six hits in five innings of a 7-3 victory.

So go with the Mets and lets get a new winning streak going!

Good luck with your action tonight!


by Johnson