First of all, I’d like to mention my prediction to yesterday’s game:

I think Redding pitches halfway decent today, Wellemeyer doesn’t, and the Mets win by something like a score of 6-4. Provided Jerry doesn’t screw up with the bullpen again.

And the final score: 6-4. Redding pitched halfway decent, Wellemeyer gave up five runs on ten hits. Okay, I can stop patting myself on the back now.

Next up is Joel Pineiro (5-8, 3.76) and Livan Hernandez (4-1, 4.18).

Game 2: Joel Pineiro, RHP

What’s the Story? You can find my original scouting report on Pineiro here.

This Year: Pineiro had an outstanding outing against the Mets in April, going eight innings while allowing two runs on six hits and two walks. And of the two runs he allowed, one came in the ninth when he left the game after allowing a leadoff double.

What to Expect: Pineiro is in the midst of his best season in years, although a quick glance at his won-loss record won’t tell you that. I’m not sure which of his ratios is more impossibly small: his strikeout ratio (4.2 per nine innings), his walk ratio (1.2 per nine innings), or his homerun ratio (0.2 per nine innings). While I’m normally very suspicious of low homerun ratios—and to be sure, Pineiro has been lucky in that regard—he’s increased his groundball rate from a good 48.5% to an outstanding 59.3%. Yeah, he won’t miss any bats, but the improved sinker and the ridiculously low walk rate make him an effective pitcher, no matter what. I should note that Pineiro had an injury his last time out, collapsing on the mound in the seventh, but it appears to have just been cramps.

Overall: I’m picking the Cardinals tonight. Livan’s due for a little stretch where he pitches poorly and everyone panics and remembers that he’s Livan Hernandez. And I never trust the Mets against control-oriented groundball pitchers.