What a nice bounce-back effort by the Mets last night as they defeated the Phillies 9-4. The game may have been a springboard to some upcoming changes in the Mets lineup starting with a new look in the top of the order.
Last night during our Gameday Live open thread, our topic of discussion was whether or not Carlos Beltran was best suited to be a cleanup hitter. It seems that Jerry Manuel had those same questions running through his mind as well.
After the game last night, Jerry Manuel announced that Carlos Beltran could begin batting in the number two spot of the order, a spot currently occupied by a number of caretakers in Luis Castillo (when healthy), Ryan Church (when not dizzy), and Endy Chavez (when both Church and Castillo are not healthy or dizzy).
It’s a move that is designed to have Beltran see more fast balls and it is widely applauded by this site and many of it’s readers.
We have been clamoring for something to be done regarding the high-priced center fielder who has been underwhelming with a slumping Carlos Delgado hitting behind him for almost two seasons. While some of us have suggested simply batting him third and Wright fourth, batting him second may be an even better solution because it would enable him to make his speed a vital weapon once again.
It would also keep Wright in the third spot, and enable Ryan Church to possibly take over at cleanup, with Moises Alou batting fifth upon his return, and Delgado sixth so as to preserve the lefty-righty balance.
I hope to see Jerry Manuel unveil this new lineup today.
