By: Stache Staff

Yee-Haw! Pre-Game: New York Mets (13-9) @ Houston Astros (8-14)

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The root’nest toot’nest sheriff to ever don a Mets uniform, R.A. Dickey will take the ball tonight for the Mets as they open a 3-game series with the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park.  The game tonight can be seen on SNY and heard on WFAN660AM.  First pitch is at 8:05 EST.  Follow @MetsWFAN @dailystache and @Meriwyn as well!

I love the fact that the Mets are doing team bonding activities like the dress-up flights.  Tampa Bay Rays manager, Joe Maddon, has had his team doing this for a couple of years now, and they always seem to have a really good time with it.  Also, if it helps the Mets be a bit more light-hearted and not angry and pressing all the time, then I’m all for it!

Andres Torres rejoins the Mets today and will once again be at the top of the lineup.  What does this mean for Kirk Nieuwenhuis?  No one knows for sure, but with how hot he’s been, he needs to remain somewhere in this lineup.  He can only help it at this point, and it would put less pressure on Ike Davis, who finally seems to be coming around after going 2-3 yesterday in Colorado and driving in the winning run.  In addition, I wouldn’t bank on Torres being healthy for the entire length of the rest of the season, so hopefully Kirk gets to stick around.

Mets Lineup
1. Kirk Nieuwenhuis, LF
2. Ruben Tejada, SS
3. Daniel Murphy, 2B
4. David Wright, 3B
5. Ike Davis, 1B
6. Mike Baxter, RF
7. Andres Torres, CF
8. Josh Thole, C
9. R.A. Dickey, SP

Astros Lineup
1. Jordan Schafer, CF
2. Jose Altuve, 2B
3. Jed Lowrie, SS
4. Travis Buck, LF
5. Matt Downs, 1B
6. Brian Bogusevic, RF
7. Chris Johnson, 3B
8. Jason Castro, C
9. Bud Norris, SP

Pitching Matchup

NYM: R.A. Dickey (3-1, 4.44 ERA).  Dickey comes off a tremendous outing and into a climate that is good for knuckleballers (either humidity or a closed roof, both are good).

HOU:  Bud Norris (1-1, 5.84 ERA).  Norris gave up 9 hits and 7 runs (including 3 homers) on Tuesday in Milwaukee.

Stache Keys to the Game(s)

  • Dickey needs to turn in another performance like he did last week.
  • Save Captain Kirk!  Nieuwenhuis is hot right now, both at the plate and in the field.  He needs to stay in the lineup!
  • Hopefully his performance yesterday has given Ike Davis a confidence boost.  Keep at it, Ike!

April 30 in Mets History

Happy Birthday Bob Hendley (1939)

LET’S GO METS!!

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