Mets Vs. Reds – Game 2 – Pitching Preview

Mets: Pelfrey won neither of his two starts against the Reds last season, losing one. He was more effective in the loss, at Shea Stadium — two runs, both earned, in six innings — than he was at Great American Ball Park in a no-decision the Mets won. The Reds scored five runs in seven innings, producing three of the 12 home runs he allowed all season in a five-inning sequence. Today will be different though, Pelfrey is becoming a more mature pitcher and in this Mets fans’ opinion, he will a breakout season in 2009.

Reds: Volquez had a breakout season in his first year with the Reds, making the All-Star team and finishing in the National League top 10 in wins, ERA and strikeouts. He did seem to tire in the second half, with a 4.60 ERA after the break (2.29 in the first half). The key for him is command and cutting down his 93 walks from a year ago will allow him to be more efficient and pitch deeper into games. He was terrific in camp this spring, allowing just one run in 19 innings.

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