New York Mets Go For Series Win Against Nationals

NEW YORK-- Although it's only the Washington Nationals, wouldn't Mets fans love a series win and a chance for the sweep. I think the answer would be yes.

The Mets sure hope that's the case on Saturday when inconsistent starting pitcher Oliver Perez makes his season debut against Mets killer and fan John Lannan. 

Last season, the Long Beach, NY native threw two complete games against the Mets including one shutout while going 2-2 with a 2.43 ERA.

On the other hand, Oliver Perez, who was an absolute wreck last season, will try to bounce back in a huge way and who better to start off against other than Washington?

In 2009, Perez went 3-4 with a 6.82 ERA in only 14 starts sandwiched around nagging knee problems. The knee problems weren't his only problem.

While those were physical, he also had some mental one's of his own. Besides the fact he walks the ballpark--he had 58 walks in 66 innings pitched--he always delivers with a different windup.

No matter how many times Dan Warthen or even Rick Peterson tries to make him have one delivery, he just doesn't seem to get it. He better get it this year considering he's owed $12 million this season and next season in 2011.

Meanwhile, the Mets offense and bullpen continue to be the club's bright spots. The offense has scored 21 runs in 3 games this season, discounting Thursday's game, and the bullpen has thrown three shutout innings in three of the games.

Fernando Nieve, who became the first Mets reliever in team history to appear in each of the season's first four games, leads all Major League relief pitchers in ERA at 0.00. He, along with three other relievers have appeared in four games but he's the only one of them with an unblemished ERA.

The keys to a Mets victory will have to be the Mets getting to John Lannan, and the Mets keeping a short leash on Oliver Perez, not allowing him to give the game up for them in the early innings.

It's easy to know if Perez is not on his game. How? Just see how many batters he walks by the third inning and you'll know what type of game he's having.

Pitching splits:
Oliver Perez vs. Washington (career)
3-5, 7.14 ERA, 51.2 IP, 61 hits, 29 BB, 44 SO

John Lannan vs. New York (career)
3-4, 3.62 ERA, 64.2 IP, 60 hits, 16 BB, 35 SO

2010 season series (New York vs. Washington)
April 9: New York 8, Washington 2
Mets lead series 1-0