While the Mets, having taken three of four from the Pirates, walked out of Pittsburgh the victors, not everyone performed well during the four games. The Mets’ bullpen woes continued, as the relievers put up the following line:

 IP   ER    H   K   BB  HR  HBP
7.0    9   14   3    4   2    1

The Mets (68-57) will have to hope that Luis Ayala has a stabilizing presence—I’m not holding my breath—as they head back to Shea to host the Atlanta Braves (56-69). The Braves have been playing abysmally of late, having lost seven of eight, including three of four to the San Francisco Giants. Consistent offense has been a problem; they’ve managed to score 11 runs on four separate occasions in August, but they’ve otherwise scored just 29 runs over 14 games during the month.

Tuesday’s opener will feature southpaws Jo-Jo Reyes (3-9, 5.33) and Oliver Perez (9-7, 3.91). Jair Jurrjens (11-8, 3.15) will face Mike Pelfrey (11-8, 3.91) on Wednesday, followed by a battle of oft-injured vets on Thursday, as Mike Hampton (2-1, 6.92) and Pedro Martinez (4-3, 4.96) take the mound.

Game 1: Jo-Jo Reyes, LHP

What’s the Story? The Braves’ second-round pick in 2003, Jo-Jo Reyes sped through the Braves’ system despite undergoing Tommy John surgery that forced him to miss the entirety of 2004. He pitched well every step of the way and was called up to replace the injured John Smoltz last season. Poor control hurt him severely at the big league level, and he struggled, going 2-2 with a 6.22 ERA over 10 starts and a relief appearance in 2007. This year has been more of the same; he started out in Triple-A, dominated, and was called up to Atlanta, only to find himself unable to locate the plate. He was recently demoted back to Triple-A, though he will be returning to make this start. His stuff is good enough to succeed: he has a fastball he throws 91-94, a good changeup, a solid overhand curve, and an average slider.

Last Year: Reyes has never faced the Mets.

What to Expect: As I mentioned, control has been a problem for Reyes in the majors. It’s improved a bit this season, but it could still stand further improvement. In some ways, Reyes is vaguely reminiscent of Sid Fernandez. He’s a big-bodied pitcher whose fastball looks faster than it really is, thanks to a deceptive delivery. Also, like Sid, durability is a question. He’s suffered a number of injuries in the minors, including the aforementioned Tommy John surgery and a torn ACL in 2005. On the mound, he’ll attack hitters with the fastball early in counts, but he has to watch his location; the heater can be pretty flat.

Game 2: Jair Jurrjens, RHP

What’s the Story? You may read my original scouting report on Jurrjens here.

This Year: Jurrjens has made two starts against the Mets this season. He was mostly great in the first start, though he had one bad inning where he gave up two singles and four straight walks. During the other five frames, he went entirely untouched. He pitched another solid game in his second start, going seven innings and allowing two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out one.

What to Expect: Jurrjens has been a great pickup for the Braves this season. He’s not a dominant pitcher, but he’s got enough stuff and pitchability to keep hitters off-guard. He doesn’t get a ton of strikeouts, but he keeps the ball down, changes speeds, is effective against hitters on both sides of the plate, and possesses very good control, though he will have blips where he loses it temporarily. He’s certainly a tough matchup for this Mets offense, as he’ll limit their ability to get on base.

Game 3: Mike Hampton, LHP

What’s the Story? Here’s everything you need to know about Mike Hampton since 2005:

May 31, 2005: Goes on the DL with a strained left forearm.
Jul 17, 2005: Returns from the DL.
Jul 26, 2005: Goes on the DL with a back injury.
Aug 14, 2005: Returns from the DL.
Aug 24, 2005: Lands back on the DL with a strained lower back.
Sep 11, 2005: Returns from the DL.
Sep 25, 2005: Undergoes Tommy John surgery; misses 2006.
Mar 07, 2007: Tears his oblique while rehabbing.
Apr 08, 2007: Undergoes flexor tendon surgery; misses 2007.
Nov 22, 2007: Injures his right hamstring during first winter league start.
Mar 07, 2008: Strains his groin in a spring training game.
Apr 03, 2008: Strains his left pectoral muscle warming up for his first start; back to the DL.
Jul 16, 2008: Strains his groin during his last rehab start.
Jul 26, 2008: Returns from the DL. And pitches!

Finally, Mike Hampton been healthy enough to pitch, and he’s made five starts—his first since August 2005—without hurting himself. We’ll see if he can make a sixth. Hampton relies on a mid-to-high-80s sinker, a cutter, a pretty good curve, and a changeup.

Last Year: Hampton hasn’t pitched against the Mets since July 17, 2005, when he allowed five runs over two innings. He went on the disabled list a few days later.

What to Expect: It’s been so long since Hampton pitched, that it’s difficult to know exactly what to expect. He doesn’t have the same zip on his fastball that he used to, and he appears to be throwing it less than most sinkerballers do—only about half the time. He’s compensated by throwing more changeups than he previously did. His goal will still be to keep the ball down, changing speeds with the sinker and change, while using the cutter and curve to combat righties and lefties, respectively.

Overall: I have the Mets taking two of three here, the first and last games. Reyes really hasn’t pitched well this season, and I fully expect the struggling Atlanta offense to have difficulty with Oliver Perez. Jurrjens and Pelfrey represent the best matchup of the series, but I think the Braves will eek out a victory. Finally, I like Pedro over Hampton. It’s difficult to have a good feel for where Hampton is right now, but Pedro has been looking progressively better as the season wears on.