Let’s just say that Johan’s first start off the DL was not a successful one. That was one über ugly performance. Johan’s last three starts against the Braves have been just awful. 1 1/3 innings and 8 runs, 5 innings 6 runs, 1 1/3 innings 6 runs (4 earned).
For some unknown reason, ESPN/MLB has decided that this game is so big that it has been moved to an 8pm start. Luckily we can listen to the game on WFAN 660 AM.
Jon Niese (8-6 3.82 ERA) will be on the mound for the Mets and will square off against Ben Sheets (4-1 1.41 ERA).
Tonight’sStarting Lineups
Mets Lineup
1. Tejada as
2. Baxter rf
3. Wright 3b
4. Davis 1b
5. Murphy 2b
6. Valdespin lf
7. Torres cf
8. Johnson c
9. Niese sp
Braves Lineup
1. Bourn cf
2. Prado lf
3. Hayward rf
4. Jones 3b
5. Freeman 1b
6. Uggla 2b
7. McCann c
8. Janish ss
9. Sheets sp
Who’s HOT for the Mets?…According to Metsblog.com Daniel Murphy has the fourth-highest batting average (.370, 50-135) in the majors since June 27 (min. 128 plate appearances)…He is tied for the most doubles (15) during that span…Murphy has scored 19 runs, collected two triples, four home runs and has 21 RBI in these 37 games during that span.
Who’s HOT for the Braves?…Freddie Freeman is hitting .362 with 14 RBIs in his last 13 games.
Pitching Matchup
Jon Niese (8-6 3.82 ERA) gets the start for the Mets tonight. Jon has been battling the big inning lately. He’s had games lately in which everything completely falls apart for one inning, and the Mets can’t score enough to recover. Last Tuesday was a perfect example. Niese was cruising along into the 4th inning, then gave up an infield hit, a bloop hit, then the hits just kept on coming. The 4 spot the Marlins put up was too much for this anemic Mets lineup to overcome.
The Ben Sheets (4-1 1.41 ERA) renaissance tour rolls into Citi tonight. After being out of baseball for two years due to Tommy John surgery, Sheets has allowed one or no runs in four of his five starts. Sheets’ first start on his comeback tour was against the Mets on July 15, when he allowed just two hits and one walk while striking out five in six scoreless innings in a 6-1 win.
