This afternoon at Citi Field, Matt (@dailystache) and I (@ttlsportsblog) take to the Pepsi Porch to somehow will this Mets team to a victory ( If you are in the area, stop by section 301 row 1 and say hi!). Just the thought of being swept by this Marlins team is enough to make me puke. I can’t even recap the first two games of this series because the Mets have barely even shown up. They haven’t pitched well and they haven’t hit at all. Plain and simple.
Today R.A. Dickey (14-3 2.82 ERA) will duel with Josh Johnson (7-7 3.85 ERA). Even though I’ll be up in the Pepsi Porch, it’ll be cool to see that knuckler dance in person. It’ll be interesting to hear the reaction for Jose Reyes with what I imagine will be a camp kid filled crowd.
Today’s first pitch is scheduled for 12:10 pm. The game can be seen on SNY and heard on WFAN 660 AM.
Today’s Starting Lineups
I was figuring I could take a pic of the scoreboard for the starting lineups but why would those be up an hour before first pitch? So here’s the Mets lineup
1. Tejada
2. Baxter
3. Murphy
4. Wright
5. Davis
6. Valdespin
7. Torres
8. Thole
9. Dickey
The Marlins lineup on the other hand us nowhere to be found at Citi Field
Who’s HOT for the Mets?...Ruben Tejada is riding a 13 game hitting streak. During that streak, he’s hitting .363
Who’s HOT for the Marlins?…Giancarlo Stanton only has 8 at-bats since coming off the DL on Tuesday, but man has he hit the ball hard. Yesterday he was 4 for 5 with 2 laser beam homers.
Pitching Matchup
R.A. Dickey (14-3 2.82 ERA) has gotten back into form in his past two outings. Over the last 14 innings pitched, Dickey has struck out 17 batters and has only allowed 2 earned runs. R.A. has made two starts against the Marlins this year and has won both. He’s 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA.
Josh Johnson (7-7 3.85 ERA) has been pitching very well of late. Josh has only allowed 2 runs over his last 3 starts and is 2-0. There has been rumors swirling around the trade deadline that Johnson was available, but Miami’s asking price was supposedly “5 of your top prospects”. Hmmmmm, he’s good, but I don’t know of any general manager’s who in their right minds, would make that kind of trade for a guy who has had a history of arm troubles. In Johnson has owned the Mets over his career. In 15 career starts against the Mets, Johnson sports an 8-1 record with a 2.59 ERA.
