Atlanta Braves vs. New York Mets Series Preview

The Braves are suddenly on a hot streak. After losing four straight to begin the season, including suffering a sweep at the hands of those darned Mets, the Braves have won five in a row. This may or may not have to do with the return of Chipper Jones to the lineup. All he's done since returning is hit .417 with a pair of home runs and five RBI (In before "SSS"). Whether it's Chipper or the superstitious of us who refuse to bathe,* it sparked a winning streak and the Braves look to exact revenge on the Mets this week.

Since the sweep, the Mets are 3-3 and are ½ game out of first behind Washington and only one game ahead of the Braves.

*- Former MLB pitcher Ross Grimsley was known for his refusal to bathe during a winning streak. His nickname was "Scuz". Stats

Pitching matchups and Mets roster after the jump.

Monday, April 16, 7:10 p.m. ET

Dillon Gee

#35 / Pitcher / New York Mets

Height: 6-1

Weight: 205

Bats: R

Throws: R

Born: Apr 28, 1986

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2012 - Dillon Gee	0-1	1	1	0	0	0	0	5.1	8	4	3	1	1	6	5.06	1.69

Tommy Hanson

#48 / Pitcher / Atlanta Braves

Height: 6-6

Weight: 220

Bats: R

Throws: R

Born: Aug 28, 1986

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2012 - Tommy Hanson	1-1	2	2	0	0	0	0	10.0	10	3	3	0	6	12	2.70	1.60

Tuesday, April 17, 7:10 p.m. ET

Johan Santana

#57 / Pitcher / New York Mets

Height: 6-0

Weight: 210

Bats: L

Throws: L

Born: Mar 13, 1979

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2012 - Johan Santana	0-1	2	2	0	0	0	0	10.0	7	1	1	0	5	13	0.90	1.20

Randall Delgado

#40 / Pitcher / Atlanta Braves

Height: 6-3

Weight: 200

Bats: R

Throws: R

Born: Feb 09, 1990

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2012 - Randall Delgado	1-0	1	1	0	0	0	0	5.0	5	2	2	1	2	6	3.60	1.40

Wednesday, April 18, 12:10 p.m. ET

R.A. Dickey

#43 / Pitcher / New York Mets

Height: 6-2

Weight: 220

Bats: R

Throws: R

Born: Oct 29, 1974

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2012 - R.A. Dickey	2-0	2	2	0	0	0	0	13.0	14	3	3	2	5	10	2.08	1.46

Jair Jurrjens

#49 / Pitcher / Atlanta Braves

Height: 6-1

Weight: 200

Bats: R

Throws: R

Born: Jan 29, 1986

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2012 - Jair Jurrjens	0-1	2	2	0	0	0	0	9.1	14	8	8	4	5	6	7.71	2.04

METS BULLPEN

R - Manny Acosta
R - Miguel Batista
L - Tim Byrdak
R - Frank Francisco (closer)
R - Bobby Parnell
R - Ramon Ramirez
R - Jon Rauch

METS STARTERS

R - Jason Bay
L - Ike Davis
L - Lucas Duda
L - Daniel Murphy
L - Kirk Nieuwenhuis
R - Ruben Tejada
L - Josh Thole
R - David Wright

METS BENCH

L - Mike Baxter
R - Ronny Cedeno
R - Scott Hairston
R - Mike Nickeas
R - Justin Turner

NOTES

In the six games following the Braves series, the Mets hit .217 as a team with 15 extra-base hits (nine doubles, six HR); Ike Davis hit his first home run of the season Sunday, while Nieuwenhuis hit the first home run of his career April 9; David Wright is hitting .571 (12-for-21) and has only struck out twice in six games played this season; Randall Delgado will be making his first career start against the Mets, and is looking for the first home win of his career (five previous home starts: 0-1, 3.60 ERA); Eric O'Flaherty has already allowed half the run total he allowed all of 2011 (4 ER in 3.2 IP this year, 8 ER in 73.2 IP in 2011).