#StartRADickey
As much as I can’t stand it when I have to sludge through a game on FOX, they did a pretty cool thing on Twitter yesterday. They had people tweet in who they thought should start the All-Star Game for the National League. The overwhelming NATIONAL response was for our very own R.A. Dickey, beating out both our favorite crybaby Cole Hamels and Cardinals’ hot starter Lance Lynn.
The Mets face the third flock of birds in MLB (having already faced the Blue Jays and Cardinals this year), as the surprisingly dominant Baltimore Orioles come to CitiField to open up a 3-game interleague series. First pitch is scheduled for tonight at 7:10 pm EST, and the game can be seen on SNY, heard on WFAN660AM and followed on Twitter @MetsWFAN. @dailystache and @Meriwyn.
Speaking of dominant, our beloved R.A. Dickey is on the mound tonight, looking for an MLB-leading 11th win, and the buzz of his possibly starting the All-Star Game has reached a national level. How cool would that be? I can’t think of anyone more deserving, nor a better man than Dickey for the honor. If David were to be right there at 3rd base backing him up, that would make it even better, especially with Terry Collins having been announced as one of the coaches!
The Orioles have surprised everyone this season, none so more than their AL East counterparts, most likely. They have won 8 of their last 9, and stood atop the division for much of the season thusfar, only recently losing their hold on 1st place to you-know-who across town. They have the 2nd best interleague record so far this year at 9-3. The last time the Mets and Orioles faced each other (June, 2010), the Mets swept them at Camden Yards. Let’s hope history repeats as the Mets could use a little pick-me-up right about now.
Mets Lineup
1. Kirk Nieuwenhuis, CF
2. Jordany Valdespin, 2B
3. David Wright, 3B
4. Lucas Duda, RF
5. Ike Davis, 1B
6. Scott Hairston, LF
7. Josh Thole, C
8. Omar Quintanilla, SS
9. R.A. Dickey, SP
Orioles Lineup
1. Brian Roberts, 2B
2. J.J. Hardy, SS
3. Chris Davis, RF
4. Adam Jones, CF
5. Matt Wieters, C
6. Mark Reynolds, 1B
7. Wilson Betemit, 3B
8. Steve Pearce, LF
9. Jake Arrieta, SP
Pitching Matchup
NYM: R.A. Dickey (10-1, 2.20 ERA). Dickey has struck out 50 batters, only walked 3 and allowed a total of 1 earned run over his past 5 outings.
BAL: Jake Arrieta (3-8, 5.89 ERA). After a dubious start to the year at best, Arrieta is coming off one of his best starts of the season, which was against the Pirates. Arrieta struck out 9 batters and allowed only 1 hit in his 7-inning performance.
Stache Keys to the Game(s)
- Keep on rollin, R.A.!
- Surprise the Orioles the way they surprised the Rays.
- Get the offense rolling again and get Dickey his 11th win.
June 18th in Mets History
Happy Birthday Dave Schneck, Sandy Alomar, Felix Heredia and Ben Johnson!
The Mets released Joe Torre on this date in 1977. It was also the day they traded Lenny Dykstra to the Phillies in 1989.
LET’S GO METS!!
