Tonight's starter: Mike Pelfrey

Mike Pelfrey is 8-1 with a 2.39 ERA in 11 starts for the Mets this season. He has given up just 61 hits in 71.2 innings, with 52 strikeouts and 28 walks. He has a 1.24 WHIP.

Pelfrey has won his last four starts -- against the Atlanta Braves (first place in NL East), Philadelphia Phillies (second place in the NL East), Yankees (second place in the AL East), and San Diego Padres (first place in the NL West).

In fact, it was Pelfrey who helped the Mets forget about the bullpen blowing the lead it received from Johan Santana in Game 2 of last week's series against the Padres in San Diego. Pelfrey shut down the Padres, going eight innings and allowing just one earned run and four hits. He also had eight strikeouts and two walks.

He'll get a chance to beat the Padres again tonight as the three-game series opens at Citi Field.

Pelfrey in his last four starts (all wins)

IP: 28.2
ER: 4
H: 20
SO: 21
BB: 11