Saturday, April 12, 9:05 PM on WPIX, FSW

Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Anaheim, California

New York - Niese, J (0-1) vs. Los Angeles - Weaver, J (0-2)

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Jon Niese (0-1) was supposed to be the Mets opening day starter until elbow inflammation crashed that party. The 27-year-old is back from the DL and reported no ill-effects after his first start of the season on April 6th. The Angels send Jered Weaver (0-2) to the hill as he aims to rectify his poor start to 2014 and keep the ball inside Angel Stadium. Niese finally got the ball last week against the Reds and pitched well, going 5.2 innings and allowing just 2 ER but unfortunately the Mets offense stalled and Cincinnati got the 2-1 win.

The Mets are hoping injuries don't become a problem with Niese as he was sidelined from June 20th to August 11th last year with a sore throwing shoulder. The left-hander was 8-8 in 2013 with no starts against the Angels. L.A's Raul Ibanez has the most experience against Niese going 4 for 16. Albert Pujols is 2 for 7 while David Freese and Josh Hamilton are a combined 0-12 to contribute to the team's overall .203 batting average.

Jered Weaver is out to prove that his skills aren't in decline after a poor start to the 2014 season. Weaver was 8-3 in his last 11 decisions of 2013 but has given up 8 runs in 12 IP thus far and gave up 4 HR to Houston in his last appearance, a 7-4 Astros win on April 6th. Still Weaver has struck out 12 in those 12 innings and his 6.00 ERA isn't astronomical.

Weaver did not face the Mets a season ago and Curtis Granderson and David Wright are the only active New York players to face the right-hander. Wright is 0-3 with 2 K's but Granderson has 10 hits in 27 AB including 5 HR.

New York Betting Trends

New York is 4-3-2 against the Over/Under

Run differential for New York is -0.4

Los Angeles Betting Trends

Los Angeles is 7-2-0 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Los Angeles is +0.1

Injuries to Watch

New York

04/03/14 CF Chris Young Quad 15-day DL (4/3)
04/01/14 P Bobby Parnell Elbow 15-day DL (4/1), out for season
03/28/14 P Matt Harvey Elbow 60-day DL (3/30), out for season

Los Angeles

04/10/14 RF Josh Hamilton Thumb 15-day DL (4/9)
03/30/14 P Brian Moran Elbow 15-day DL (3/21)
03/30/14 P Dane De La Rosa Forearm 15-day DL (3/21)
03/30/14 P Ryan Brasier Elbow 15-day DL (3/21)
03/30/14 P Sean Burnett Forearm 15-day DL (3/21)

Josh's Pick: Take Los Angeles

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