Takahashi vs. Dodgers Hitting<\/strong><\/p>\nTakahashi\u2019s role with New York this season has been in both the starting rotation and the bullpen, and the Mets are grateful for his versatility. However, recently his numbers indicate he\u2019s much better suited for the \u2018pen. In his last five appearances, Takahashi has started four times and come out of the \u2018pen once. That one relief appearance was a three-inning clinic in which he allowed only one hit and zero runs. His four starts have been more like hitting clinics; he\u2019s allowed 21 runs in 17 1\/3 IP and never lasted past the sixth inning.<\/p>\n
Thus, I\u2019m\u00a0betting the Dodger bats are probably happy they\u2019re seeing Takahashi at the beginning of the game instead of the end. Even with Manny Ramirez back on the DL, the Dodgers have offensive pop that can send some pitchers (especially struggling ones like Takahashi) to the showers early. Guys like Andre Ethier (16 HR, 57 RBI) and James Loney (64 RBI) fit that mold. Add in the fact that in 11 road appearances (six starts) this year, Takahashi is 3-2 with a 5.44 ERA, and the Dodgers bats seem to have the advantage in this matchup.<\/p>\n
Kuroda vs. Mets Hitting<\/strong><\/p>\nKuroda started the year hot, but has not been pitching his best ball over the past two months. Since May 23rd<\/sup>, Kuroda is 2-7 with a 4.58 ERA, with batters hitting .279 against him in that span. Kuroda relies on deception and control, and can yield really bad results if one or the other isn\u2019t working on a particular start. However, Kuroda has also been the recipient of some bad luck and poor run support. In his last start, the right-hander pitched six innings and allowed only one run, but was saddled with the loss as Los Angeles dropped the ballgame 2-0.