The Mets play a rare day game on a Wednesday afternoon which tells you it’s either one of the two camp days at Citi Field, or that it’s Independence Day…obviously at this point in the summer we know it’s not camp day.
New York looks for its second straight win over their division rivals at 1:10 p.m. when Chris Young takes the hill for the Mets as he is opposed by Cliff Lee. The tall right-hander is 2-1 on the year since coming back from shoulder capsule surgery, while Lee is still winless against five loses and an ERA just above four.
Mets Lineup Phillies Lineup
The Mets send out the same lineup as yesterday with Ruben Tejada in the leadoff spot and Daniel Murphy batting second. Murphy is also 4-for-11 in his career against Lee, while David Wright is 4-for-13. Ike Davis is hitless in eight career at-bats against Lee.
Meanwhile the Phillies add an extra lefty bat in the lineup with Juan Pierre in at left field while Jon Mayberry Jr. moves in to play first and Ty Wigginton heads to the bench. Chase Utley has had the most success against Chris Young going 4-for-13 with two home runs and five RBI in their all-time match ups.
Pitching Matchup
Chris Young (2-1, 3.30 ERA): Young makes his sixth start since returning from injury and pitched very well his last time out against the Los Angeles Dodgers while earning the win in 6 1/3 innings of work in which he allowed two earned runs. Young has pitched at least six complete innings over his last three starts after his first two were both sub-six inning outings.
Cliff Lee (0-4, 4.13 ERA): One of the most intriguing stories is the fact that Cliff Lee is still winless as he makes his first start in the month of July. His last time out against the Marlins is one he’d like to forget after pitching only 4 2/3 innings and allowed six earned runs on 10 hits while only striking out three. He’s pitched twice against the Mets over the last two months and pitched six innings in each outing and getting a no decision each time.
Keys to the Game
1. Keep up the hot hitting, I don’t expect the Mets to score 11 runs but if you can get into the 4-6 range again you’re in pretty good shape.
2. The bullpen is fresh in case Chris Young needs some help, only Jon Rauch pitched yesterday after the off day on Monday.
3. Don’t let Cliff Lee roll, despite being winless he should still be regarded as one of the top left-handed pitchers in the game at least in recent years along with the likes of CC Sabathia, Johan Santana and Andy Pettitte.
This Day in Mets History
1985: One of the most memorable games of all-time the Mets played a 19-inning affair against the Atlanta Braves. In the game, Gary Carter went 5-for-9, while Wally Backman and Keith Hernandez both went 4-for-10 at the plate. Early in the game Dwight Gooden got knocked out after 2 1/3 innings as the bullpen and even a few starters such as Ron Darling who ended up closing out the game, saw game time out of the pen.
2004: The Mets defeated the Yankees by a score of 6-5 at Shea Stadium. For the Mets in the game, they got three hits out of #8 hitter Ty Wigginton who also drove in three runs including a go-ahead solo home run in the bottom of the eighth inning. Orber Moreno pitched up the win while Braden Looper picked up his 16th save of the season.
2011: The Mets signed Miguel Batista, Oh Happy Day!
