Giants at Mets
The National League East was expected to be loaded, and the division so far has proven to be plenty competitive. But the Giants can make a statement on behalf of themselves and the National League West when they begin a three-game series against the New York Mets at Citi Field on Friday. San Francisco is coming off a six-game homestand in which it took two of three from Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. The Giants' young guns outdueled the Phillies' loaded staff the last in two games to get back to .500.
The Mets are stepping outside the NL East for the first time and coming off a six-game road trip in which they took two of three from Philadelphia and lost two of three to Atlanta. The pitching staff let New York down in the final two games against Atlanta, allowing 23 runs. The Mets have given up 32 runs in losing three of their past four games after allowing only 22 runs while winning six of their first eight.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, CSN-Bay Area (San Francisco), SNY (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants LH Barry Zito (1-0, 1.13 ERA) vs. Mets LH Jon Niese (2-0, 2.13 ERA)
Zito looks to continue his resurgence after two strong starts to begin the season. He threw a four-hit shutout in his season debut at Colorado and held Pittsburgh to three runs (two earned) over seven innings Saturday. Zito is 3-2 with a 3.31 ERA in six starts against the Mets.
Niese has made the Mets look good for signing him to a five-year extension earlier this month with two straight strong starts. He took a no-hitter into the seventh in beating the Braves in his season debut and shut out the Phillies for 6 2/3 innings Saturday. Niese has made one start against the Giants and took the loss despite holding them to one run over seven innings in 2010.
WALK-OFFS
1. Mets 3B David Wright is tied with Darryl Strawberry for the club's all-time lead with 733 RBIs. Wright, who is in his ninth season in New York, already is the franchise leader in doubles and game-winning RBIs.
2. Zito is 48-48 with a 4.18 ERA in day games but has thrived under the lights, going 98-76 with a 3.75 ERA in night contests.
3. The Giants have allowed seven runs in their six wins (1.17 per game) and 43 runs in their six losses (7.17 per game).