Raise your hand if you hate 10:15 pm EST game starts!
The Mets get a MUCH needed win yesterday and also a series split with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Tonight they continue their west coast whirlwind trip with a stop in San Francisco, where they open up a 4-game series with the Giants. First pitch is scheduled for tonight at 10:15 pm EST, and the game can be seen on SNY, heard on WFAN660AM and followed on Twitter @MetsWFAN. @dailystache and @Meriwyn.
Ike Davis certainly liked being home in Arizona this weekend! Best he’s played in awhile! Andres Torres also returns to AT&T Park for the first time since being traded to the Mets for old friend Angel Pagan, who the Mets will get to see again tonight.
The Giants will certainly be itching for a win tonight and are probably pretty pissed off too since they were swept by their Dodgers rivals over the weekend. Unfortunately it’s good news for them, as the Mets are in a somewhat more perilous skid at the moment. I fully expect the Mets to get beaten to a pulp tonight, and no that’s not because I’m a Debbie Downer, it’s just that the conditions are right for that to happen. San Francisco is looking to release some anger, and one of their best at-home pitchers is on the mound tonight. Let’s hope I’m wrong!
The Kid from Queens returns tonight! Mike Baxter is back with the team and available to play tonight. Kirk Nieuwenhius was sent back to Buffalo in order to make room for Baxter. I’m still pouting about this. Yes, I know he was terrible as of late, but I’ll miss Thor haha.
Daniel Murphy who is on a hot streak himself, is sitting tonight, which makes no sense to me. Yes, I know a lefty is on the mound tonight, but I’d rather have Murphy in there who at least has a chance of hitting SOMETHING as opposed to trotting Jason Bay out there night after night.
Mets Lineup
1. Ruben Tejada, SS
2. Andres Torres, CF
3. David Wright, 3B
4. Scott Hairston, RF
5. Ike David, 1B
6. Jason Bay, LF
7. Ronny Cedeno, 2B
8. Rob Johnson, C
9. Jeremy Hefner, SP
Giants Lineup
1. Marco Scutaro, 3B
2. Ryan Theriot, 2B
3. Melky Cabrera, LF
4. Buster Posey, C
5. Angel Pagan, CF
6. Nate Schierholtz, RF
7. Brandon Belt, 1B
8. Brandon Crawford, SS
9. Madison Bumgarner, SP
Pitching Matchup
NYM: Jeremy Hefner (1-4, 5.40 ERA). Hefner’s pitched decently against the Nationals, where he struck out 7, walked 2 and gave up 2 runs. He is expected to remain in the rotation until Johan Santana is ready to return.
SF: Madison Bumgarner (11-6, 3.10 ERA). Bumgarner pitches extremely well at home, and his last time out, he held the Padres to 2 runs over 7 innings. He is 7-1 with a 1.89 ERA at home this year. He held the Mets to one run in seven innings on April 23.
Stache Keys to the Game(s)
- With Murph sitting, Ike needs to stay hot.
- With both teams seeking to break losing skids, the Mets really need to keep themselves close in the game tonight.
- The Giants are struggling offensively. Capitalize on that.
July 30th in Mets History
Happy Birthday Casey Stengel (1890), Ellis Valentine (1954), Clint Hurdle (1957) and Todd Haney (1965)!
LET’S GO METS!!
