Niese bounces back from poor outing: Jonathon Niese allowed one run in 7 2/3 innings, helping the New York Mets beat the Pittsburgh Pirates, 3-1, Wednesday for their third win in four games. Niese (3-2) gave up five hits, struck out five and walked two, five days after matching his career high by allowing eight runs in a 14-5 loss at Toronto. Niese lowered his ERA from 4.85 to 4.29. “I think we all feel that Jon has great stuff,” pitching coach Dan Warthen told ESPN.com. “Sometimes he trusts his stuff more than realizing that he has to pitch. Today I thought he pitched as well as using stuff." Niese contributes some of his success to catcher Rob Johnson. “Rob does a great job calling games,” Niese said. “He does a great job of reading hitters and what they’re trying to do based on that. I do pay attention to it, but sometimes I get so focused on executing a pitch that it’s kind of tough. But it’s something I’m definitely working on, and something that definitely works. I did a lot more preparation this go-around. I still had to trust my stuff. And I still had to have confidence in it. I didn’t want to go away from my strengths.” (Updated 05/23/2012)
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 5/23/12).
Fantasy Analysis
Niese has allowed two or fewer runs in three of his last four starts. In fact, he has allowed more than three earned runs in just two of nine starts this season. Unfortunately, Niese is still not an elite pitcher and is best left as a low-end Fantasy option in mixed leagues. He will be back on the hill Monday against the Phillies and line up for two starts in Week 9 (May 28-June 3). Both starts will be at home, where Niese is 1-0 with a 3.79 ERA. (Updated 05/23/2012).
05/13/2012 17:07 Marlins dump Mets in grand fashion
Giancarlo Stanton hit a two-out grand slam to cap a ninth-inning rally by the Miami Marlins, who beat an angry Frank Francisco and the New York Mets 8-4 Sunday.
05/13/2012 09:41 Top 70 starters for Week 7
A full slate of games in Fantasy Week 7, with seven games on tap for each team. Our Al Melchior breaks down the interleague implications and helps set your rotations in his SHuffling the Rotations.
05/07/2012 22:30 Mets beat Phils, Papelbon in ninth on Valdespin's first MLB home run
Jordany Valdespin had a pinch-hit three-run homer off Jonathan Papelbon in the ninth inning for his first major league hit, leading the New York Mets to a 5-2 victory against the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday night.
05/06/2012 11:14 Shuffling the Rotations for Week 6
A couple of returning starters from injury and a slew of questionable two-start options highlight Fantasy Week 6. Al Melchior has everything you need to set the best rotation for the week ahead in Shuffling the Rotations.
05/02/2012 12:35 Dear Mr. Fantasy: Let's hold it on Harper
It's all Bryce Harper all the time, at least in our little Fantasy world. Our Scott White picks a few of the better Harper-related questions and addresses them in his latest edition of Dear Mr. Fantasy.
The Mets' financial woes have reduced them to holding a Jon-a-thon -- not to be confused with a Jon-a-than -- every fifth day. Fortunately, the returns have been mostly positive. Jonathon Niese followed up an encouraging rookie season with an improved strikeout rate (7.9 per nine innings) and walk rate (2.5 per nine) during his sophomore campaign. Unfortunately, he was just as hittable as ever, leading to another high WHIP and, ultimately, another late-season collapse that will no doubt cause some Fantasy owners to look elsewhere. Keep in mind, though, his season was cut short by an intercostal strain -- an injury that caused him to allow eight earned runs on 10 hits over four innings in his final start Aug. 23, skewing his late-season numbers. Over the 18 appearances (including 17 starts) leading up to that start, Niese compiled a more-than-adequte 3.60 ERA and 1.33 WHIP. With the Mets in rebuilding mode, Niese does have to work with a less-than-stellar supporting cast, and as a curveball pitcher, he'll always have to contend with some measure of streakiness. But another step forward seems likely for the left-hander in his age-25 season. If you're looking for a pitcher to fill out your rotation in the late rounds of a mixed-league draft, take note. (Updated 1/11/12)
Actual 
AccuScore Projections) Note: Points are rounded down.
= probable start