Mets 71-79 vs Braves 86-64 Preview

Chris Capuano 10-12, 4.49 ERA

Derek Lowe 9-14, 4.70 ERA

The Atlanta Braves are still in the hunt and are closing in on a playoff spot. As for the New York Mets, they have played them tough all season, and now will give the ball to lefty Chris Capuano. Capuano has given the Braves headaches throught his career, and he will try to help the Mets end their current 6-game losing streak tonight at Turner Field. In his last eight outings, Capuano's win over the Braves was his only victory over that span.

In his last seven games against the Atlanta Braves, Jason Bay is hitting 13-for-27 (.481) with two homeruns and 9 RBIs. Although Bay is on a hot streak the past seven games, he is 0-for-17 in his career against Derek Lowe. The Mets are trying to avoid losing seven straight for the first time since April 10-16. On Thursday, the Mets lost 10-1 at Citi Field to the Nationals to give them a 4-game sweep over New York. “The perception I have right now: We folded it up. And I won’t stand for that,” manager Terry Collins said. “You want to see me be intense? You guys are going to see it. I don’t play that game.”

Jose Reyes was given the day off to rest on Thursday, a planned day as he continues to recover from his strained left hamstring. His hamstring has been bothering him since last weekend when he felt it tighten up again. Chris Schwinden made his second start in the major leagues yesterday and although the nerves of his debut were gone, he took his second straight loss. He allowed just twi runs over five innings of work. David Wright continued to struggle defensive wise on the field, committing an error in the 9th inning yesterday, his eighth error in his last 10 games. Wright now has 18 errors on the season. Val Pascucci got his first start Thursday since being called up by the Mets. Pascucci last appeared in a MLB game in 2004, he did however have a pinch-hit since his September 1st call-up from Buffalo.

Chris Capuano:

• 1-1, 4.11 ERA, 30.2IP 27H 14ER 7BB 33K 4HRs (Last 5 Games)
• Away (This Year) - 6-7, 5.40 ERA, 75.0IP 86H 45ER 24BB 62K 14HRs .285BAA (13 Starts)
• Career vs Braves - 3-3, 2.74 ERA, 49.1IP 35H 15ER 12BB 44K 6HRs .200BAA (7 Starts)
• Last Game vs Braves - 9.0IP 2H 0ER 0BB 13K .071BAA (W)

Derek Lowe:

• 2-3, 3.72 ERA, 29.0IP 28H 12ER 14BB 29K 2HRs (Last 5 Games)
• 4-3, 4.59 ERA, 66.2IP 72H 34ER 22BB 53K 5HRs .276BAA (12 Starts)
• Career vs Mets - 5-5, 5.42ERA, 73.0IP 88H 44ER 24BB 34K 5HRs .309BAA (13 Starts)
• Last Game vs Mets - 6.0IP 7H 3ER 1BB 1K .304BAA (ND)

Quoted By David Wright: "All and all we're not doing anything well. We've had too many ups and downs this season. We have a good week, followed by a bad week." - On the team's troubles