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Perez, Mets look to keep postseason hopes alive

Sep 24, 2008 - 10:07 AM Chi Cubs (95-61) at NY Mets (87-70), 7:00 pm EDT

FLUSHING, New York (Ticker) -- If the New York Mets plan on making the playoffs, they will need Oliver Perez to pitch more like the Dr. Jekyll version of himself and not Mr. Hyde.

The inconsistent lefthander gets the call as the Mets meet the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday.

With five games remaining in the regular season, New York is 1 1/2 games behind the Philadelphia Phillies (89-69) in the National League East, but one game ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers (86-71) in the wild-card race.

Perez (10-7, 4.10 ERA) will try to follow Johan Santana's brilliant outing on Tuesday, when he tossed eight strong innings and held the Cubs to two runs and seven hits en route to a 6-2 victory.

However, Perez has one win in his last seven starts; oddly New York has gone 5-2 in those games over that span.

The 27-year-old ranks third in the NL in walks with 97, and has a 5.48 ERA in four September starts.

Chicago counters with ace Carlos Zambrano (14-6, 3.77), who is coming off his worst outing. One start after tossing a no-hitter against the Houston Astros, the burly righthander surrendered eight runs and six hits over 1 2/3 frames against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Zambrano appears to have shrugged off a lingering arm problem, which cost him one turn in the rotation. Now, he has his sights set on being an important cog in the Cubs' playoff journey.

The 27-year-old is 2-1 with a 4.00 ERA in three career starts at Shea Stadium.