30/30: Mets hold one ace and questions
Pelfrey, Perez must continue growth for Mets to get over hump
Special to Insider
When it comes to the Mets' pitching staff, most people know Johan Santana and his Cy Young-winning credentials. But the bigger keys for the Mets are the two younger pitchers behind Santana in the rotation: Mike Pelfrey and Oliver Perez. Those two starters, along with new bullpen additions Francisco Rodriguez and J.J. Putz, need to perform if the Mets are to erase the disappointing late-season swoons of the last two seasons and return to the postseason for the first time since 2006.
The 25-year-old Pelfrey opens the season as the No. 2 man in the rotation behind Santana. Though seven inches taller than Santana, Pelfrey doesn't overpower hitters with his size. Instead, the former first-round pick relies on his command to succeed.
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