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Mets-Cubs Preview

Sep 3, 2010 - 11:42 PM By MATT BECKER STATS Senior Writer

New York (66-68) at Chicago (57-77), 1:05 p.m. EDT

When the Chicago Cubs sent Carlos Zambrano to anger-management counseling in late June, they were hoping the hot-tempered pitcher would return to the club more composed.

He has not only kept his emotions in check since returning, but he's also pitching better.

Zambrano tries to win his fourth straight decision as he takes the ball for the Cubs against the New York Mets on Saturday at Wrigley Field.

Zambrano (6-6, 4.36 ERA) has had a history of wild outbursts, and team management had seen enough following the volatile right-hander's dugout tirade at U.S. Cellular Field on June 25. The Cubs (58-77) placed the six-time opening day starter on the restricted list a few days later, and his future with the team appeared uncertain.

Since returning to the team July 31 and re-joining the rotation the following week, Zambrano has looked like a completely different pitcher. The three-time All-Star is 3-0 with a 1.84 ERA in five starts since returning to the rotation, knocking more than one run off his ERA from 5.61. Against Pittsburgh on Monday, Zambrano allowed one run and four hits while striking out seven in 5 1-3 innings of a 14-2 win.

The walks have still been a problem for Zambrano, who's issued 20 in 29 1-3 innings over his last five starts, but he's doing a better job pitching out of jams.

Zambrano also pitched well in his lone start of the season against New York on April 20, permitting two runs while striking out nine in six innings, but was saddled with a 4-0 loss. He's held the Mets to two or fewer runs in five of seven starts since 2007, and has been especially tough on David Wright.

The All-Star third baseman, who homered in Friday's 7-6 loss to the Cubs, is batting .143 with no extra-base hits and 10 strikeouts in 21 career at-bats against Zambrano.

With Friday's victory, Chicago improved to 7-3 under interim manager Mike Quade following a 5-20 stretch. Alfonso Soriano hit three-run homer - his team-leading 22nd - and is batting .524 with three home runs and nine RBIs in his last six games against New York.

"Everybody was happy when Lou (Piniella) was here, but now, we're playing better," Soriano said. "We have to finish strong."

The Mets (66-69) are moving in the opposite direction, losing seven of nine. They've dropped three games under .500 and haven't been four under since they were 4-8 on April 18.

Trying to avoid this mark, New York turns to Jenrry Mejia (0-2, 3.25), who is scheduled to make his first career start.

Mejia started the season with the Mets and made 30 appearances out of the bullpen - including two against the Cubs - before being sent to the minors June 20. The 20-year-old right-hander went 2-0 with a 1.32 ERA in six starts for Double-A Binghamton before yielding one run and five hits with nine strikeouts in eight innings for Triple-A Buffalo on Monday.

"I was in the other camp believing that he'd be better for us as a reliever for most of the year, but I'm definitely excited to see him as a starter," manager Jerry Manuel told the Mets' official website.