Apr
7
2011

Mets @ Phillies Game 3: Lineup, Notes, Preview

An article by Elliot Teichman

Today’s Lineup

Jose Reyes – SS
Willie Harris – LF
David Wright – 3B
Ike Davis – 1B
Angel Pagan – CF
Lucas Duda – RF
Brad Emaus – 2B
Josh Thole – C
Jonathon Niese – LHP

Mets Notes

Daniel Murphy was part of an odd occurrence Wednesday. Murphy entered the game as a pinch hitter leading off the fifth inning for the Mets. He struck out, but then the Mets rallied, batting around, and Murphy’s spot in the order came up again. While he never went in the field, he got another chance and this time delivered an RBI single to tie the game.

RHP Francisco Rodriguez got to finish the game Wednesday, pitching the eighth inning with a three-run deficit. It still counted toward the 55 games finished that he needs to secure a $17.5 million vesting option for 2012.

1B Ike Davis had an RBI in each of the Mets’ first five games this season. That has given him the second-longest streak to start a season in team history, trailing only the six-game streak David Wright had in 2006.

Mets Quote

“I just hate that the clubhouse is quiet because I blew it.” — RHP Blaine Boyer, after giving up three runs in two innings of relief Wednesday.

Game Preview

For the second time this season the Mets face a rubber game, this time against Roy Halladay and the Phillies. In last night’s game the Mets made a pretty massive comeback, but then couldn’t complete the job. Hopefully the Mets can get at Roy behind Jon Niese. Niese was nice in his first game of the season as he pitched 7 innings, allowing 2 runs and striking out 3 batters. Going a little deeper than that box line, he struggled in the first inning (where he allowed the two runs) and then was solid from the second inning on. Last year he was fantastic against the Phillies as he was 1-1 in three games over 21.0 innings pitched with a sparkling 2.14 innings pitched. The Phillies have the following numbers on him:

Polanco 2-10, 2 2B
Ibanez 2-9
Valdez 1-7, 2B
Howard 1-6
Rollins 0-3

The Mets draw the ace of the Phillies rotation in the rubber match. In his first start of the season, Halladay allowed 1 earned run over 5 hits and 6 innings while striking out 6 batters. Last season he was 4-0 against the Mets in as many starts over 31.2 innings while posting an ERA of 2.56. (In other words, he was very Roy Hallladayish). The Mets have these numbers on Roy:

Beltran 12-38, 2B, 2 HR
Reyes 8-19, 3 2B, 2 3B
Wright 2-15, 2B, 3B
Davis 3-12, 2B
Thole 6-9, 2B

Lets Go Mets!
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About the Author: Elliot Teichman

5 Comments + Add Comment

Chris April 7, 2011 at 1:37 pm

Five Mets I have concerns with:

1. Blaine Boyer
2. Pedro Beato
3. DJ Carrasco
4. Mike Pelfrey
5. Chris Capuano
- scottydoesn'tknow April 7, 2011 at 2:32 pm
  
  I thought Carrasco looked pretty sharp the other day in the win against the Phillies. He did start off a little slow, but once he warmed up, he was pretty solid.
  
  The real questions are…
  
  When will Manny Acosta be called up?
  
  Does Pelfrey’s struggles lead to the Mets calling up Pat Misch to Start?
scottydoesn'tknow April 7, 2011 at 2:39 pm

I don’t like the fact that Beltran is sitting in this game, he has great numbers against Halladay, and we are going to need all the good bats we can get. Who cares if it is a Day game after a night game, we are only 6 games into the season. I think the Mets are being WAY to cautious with Beltran. If you want to give him extra rest, do it against the Nationals in the home series coming up, but against a BIG rubber game with the Phillies, I must disagree with this decision.

Even if a day off is a must, why isn’t Hairston in the lineup with Harris? Why would you put Duda (a rookie) into the lineup to face the reigning CY Young winner. Today’s lineup has 4 players with under 2 years of playing time, and 5 if you want to throw Niese’s bat in there as well.

Wright is going to get pitched around all day without the protection of Beltran. I have a feeling that today is going to be an offensive nightmare.

Just doesn’t make sense, I am 100% this isn’t Beltran’s decision because you know he definitely wants to be in the lineup today.
- t agee April 7, 2011 at 2:49 pm
  
  I don’t like seeing that Beltran is sitting either especially after seeing those numbers against Halliday, although they weren’t all accrued against this version of Halliday or Beltran, but still.
  
  It must be he needs the day off. Only thing that it could be. Did he hurt his knee hitting the wall on the fan interference play? Polanco’s single? Just managing the knee day to day or making sure he’ll be in the home opener? Doesn’t make sense to me on bit other than if your gonna play Duda in RF ever, this is the park to do it in and LF should be busy today but that pales compared to having Beltran in the lineup.
Bayonne Mets Fan April 7, 2011 at 3:14 pm

Keith Hernandez all over the “work the pitcher” theory before the game and rightly so.

Today.s the type of game you have to be swinging the bat. That’s why I have big problems with Alderson’s OBP theory. You’re not gonna win any championships that way because the big games are usually pitched by the best pitchers with excellent control and who’s gonna shine? Your best hitters not your best walkers.

maybe that’s why Oakland never won the big ones when Beane first took over because in the big games of the year the best pitchers pitch and you better be ready to hit them. Not walk.

And that’s why Batting Average will always be more important than OBP because you win with your best hitters not your best walkers. The big games are usually pitched by the best pitchers with the best control.

NL East Standings

Team	W	L	Pct.	GB
Braves	24	18	.571	-
Nationals	23	20	.535	1.5
Phillies	20	23	.465	4.5
Mets	16	24	.400	7.0
Marlins	11	32	.256	13.5

Last updated: 05/18/2013

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