Take II: Pelfrey, Mets Open Series Vs. Brewers
NEW YORK (AP) -- Mike Pelfrey is hoping he will stick around longer with the New York Mets thanks to his strong 2010 season.
After the weather pushed back his scheduled start one day, he'll try to improve upon his 10-3 home record Tuesday night when the Mets begin a four-game set against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Pelfrey (15-9, 3.75 ERA) has developed into more than a solid No. 2 starter behind Johan Santana for New York (76-79), leading the team in victories and eclipsing his previous career-high win total by two with two outings left.
The right-hander is under contract with the Mets until 2014 and wants to sign an extension. Pelfrey claims that he and his agent, Scott Boras, have not heard from New York about the possibility.
"I would be interested," Pelfrey told the Mets' official website. "They'd have to bring it up, but I'm sure we'll explore it. I'm definitely open to it."
Pelfrey seems like a perfect fit at spacious Citi Field, posting a 2.87 ERA in 17 outings. He's recorded a 1.61 ERA in winning his last three home starts. He was supposed to take the mound there Monday, but rain forced a postponement and the game will be made up as part of a twi-night doubleheader Wednesday.
Pelfrey is 1-1 with a 2.84 ERA in two career outings against the Brewers (73-82).
With the season winding down, he's not the only player in the final week who's been asked about his future. Brewers slugger Prince Fielder acknowledged the possibility that he may be traded in the offseason.
Fielder will be a free agent after 2011 and has refused attempts to extend his contract. There are rumors that he may be used in trade talks to land a starting pitcher, and Fielder said that the decision whether he comes back or not is out of his hands.
"If I'm not here next year, like I've always said, it's not my call anyway," he said. "I'm here just because of the rules, so I have no choice."
Fielder hit his 32nd home run in Sunday's 7-1 victory over Florida, while Ryan Braun was the hitting star with two homers and four RBIs. Braun reached the 100-RBI plateau for the third straight year.
The left fielder acknowledged he's been helped by hitting in front of Fielder.
"I know that personally I wouldn't haven been able to accomplish a lot of things that I've done without him behind me," Braun said. "And for us, as a team, I think he's been one of the greatest players in the history of the franchise in the short time that he's been here."
Randy Wolf (13-11, 4.24) is looking to continue his dominance at New York when he pitches Tuesday. The left-hander is 7-1 with a 2.85 ERA in 15 road starts against the Mets.
Wolf is 6-0 with a 3.11 ERA in his last nine overall starts versus New York, and he's entering this matchup with significant momentum by going 3-1 with a 1.21 ERA in four starts this month.
He was impressive again Wednesday, yielding one run with seven strikeouts in six innings of a 13-1 win over Cincinnati.
New York won the final two games of a weekend series in Philadelphia after a six-game losing streak.
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