Looking Ahead: Sink or Stink

Aaron Cook's second start of 2010 comes a week and about six hours after his first. That's worth noting because a rested arm is detrimental to the sinkerballer. Not only do the numbers bare that out (6.50 ERA in 21 starts with 6+ days rest), you can easily see it on the television when the overthrown sinker only has time to sink right into hitter's happy zone.

So the math here says: Second start of season + 7 days rest = Lots of arm strength.

I'm not predicting Cook will get shelled based on all of this, but I think the Mets are going to get pitches to hit early in the game. What they do with them is entirely up to them.

Jon Niese... Jonathon Niese... Whichever

Many of us recall the last time we saw Niese. It was the final of game of the near disasterous trip to New York. The Mets had taken the first three in the series, it was the second game of a doubleheader, and the Rockies desperately needed to leave town with a win. They did so mostly behind a strong start from Jorge De La Rosa, but Clint Barmes hit a bomb to left field off Niese that sealed the deal.

Overall the 6-foot-4, 215LB lefty make a good showing for himself, but I could still see that Barmes bomb clearly in my head when I read Niese's name as today's starter. Seth Smith also had a couple hits that day so his inclusion in the lineup won't be a bad thing either.

My Lineup Card

LF Smith
CF Fowler
1B Helton
SS Tulowitzki
3B Stewart
RF Spilborghs
C Iannetta
SS Barmes
P Cook

Simulation

Mets 2, Rockies 1

Aaron Cook was a tough luck loser having allowed just two earned runs over seven innings. He struck out four. He made a second inning mistake to Jason Bay that resulted in a HR, and then Luis Castillo singled in what proved to be the winning run in the third. The lone Rockies run came in the fifth when Cook singled home Ryan Spilborghs. Niese got the win with 5 1/3 of one run ball. K-Rod gets the save as Jason Giambi grounds into the game ending double play.

Jose Reyes: 2-for-4, R

Ryan Spilborghs: 3-for-3, BB, R