Pre-Game: New York Mets (34-29) @ Tampa Bay Rays (35-27)

This afternoon at the “Trop”, the Mets go for the 3 game sweep of the Rays.  RA Dickey threw another absolute gem last night in the Mets 9-1 victory.  RA tossed his second career 1-hitter and in the process set the Mets team record with 32 2/3 scoreless innings pitched.  I’m not going to get into the David Wright misplay in the 1st inning that could have been ruled an error, because in the grand scheme of things….Who Cares?  Johan Santana (3-3 2.96 ERA) will face off against Jeremy Hellickson (4-2 2.65 ERA) today in what I hope will be a good ol’ pitchers duel.

Today’s first pitch is scheduled for 1:10 pm.  The game can be seen on SNY and heard on WFAN 660 AM

Today’s Starting Lineups via Rotoinfo.com

Starting Pitcher Johan Santana Mets Name Pos AvgV RunsV HrV RBIV SbV OBPV 1.   K. Nieuwenhuis CF 0.24 1.10 -0.50 -0.87 -0.12 0.04 2.   J. Valdespin DH -1.35 -1.91 -1.05 -1.02 -0.27 -2.52 3.   D. Wright 3B -0.24 0.73 0.20 -0.04 0.33 0.73 4.   L. Duda RF -0.10 -0.32 0.13 0.42 -0.94 0.44 5.   I. Davis 1B -0.87 -0.86 -0.22 -0.34 -0.86 0.11 6.   D. Murphy 2B 0.80 -1.56 -0.79 0.12 -0.45 -0.31 7.   J. Bay LF -1.04 -2.18 -0.69 -1.08 -0.12 -0.42 8.   J. Thole C -0.20 -2.25 -1.10 -1.34 -0.97 0.10 9.   O. Quintanilla SS -1.73 -2.53 -1.25 -2.15 -0.99 -0.83 Factors: Jeremy Hellickson, Away, Day, Right Hand Starter, Turf		Starting Pitcher Jeremy Hellickson Rays Name Pos AvgV RunsV HrV RBIV SbV OBPV 1.   D. Jennings LF -1.68 0.92 -0.15 -1.16 2.23 -0.78 2.   C. Pena 1B -2.74 0.94 0.41 -1.00 -0.75 0.35 3.   B. Upton CF -1.56 -0.25 -0.21 -0.25 1.76 -0.52 4.   H. Matsui DH -1.32 -0.66 -0.39 -0.37 -0.96 -0.97 5.   B. Zobrist 2B -1.35 -0.95 -0.63 -0.70 0.27 -0.02 6.   M. Joyce RF -1.07 -1.24 -0.45 -0.37 -0.49 0.18 7.   S. Rodriguez 3B -1.81 -2.29 -0.88 -1.45 0.20 -0.82 8.   J. Molina C -1.38 -1.93 -0.93 -1.52 -0.77 -1.21 9.   E. Johnson SS -1.96 -1.96 -1.00 -1.91 0.55 -1.65 Factors: Johan Santana, Home, Day, Left Hand Starter, Turf

Who’s Hot for the Mets?…IKE DAVIS!!! Ike is 6 for his last 16 with a homer and 5 RBI’s
Who’s Hot for the Rays?…BJ Upton is hitting .360 with 3 RBI over his past 6 games

On the Mound

Johan Santana (3-3 2.96 ERA) takes the hill today for the Mets. He’s coming off a disastrous start at Yankee Stadium where he gave up 4 home runs, including back-to-back-to-back homers. In his first start after tossing the no-hitter, Johan allowed 6 runs in 6 innings and threw only 85 pitches.  Obviously Terry was protecting Johan’s shoulder, giving him an extra 2 days rest between those starts.  Hopefully on regular rest, Santana can provide the Mets with another outstanding start.

For the Rays, Jeremy Hellickson (4-2 2.65 ERA) is going to be looking for some run support.  Over Hellickson’s past 8 starts he is 1-2 with a 2.55 ERA, but is only getting 2.74 runs of support per game.  Hellickson has never faced the Mets in his career.