Mets Starting Lineup
- Ruben Tejada – SS
- Daniel Murphy – 2B
- David Wright – 3B
- John Buck – C
- Marlon Byrd – RF
- Lucas Duda – LF
- Justin Turner – 1B
- Collin Cowgill – CF
- Jonathon Niese – LHP
Game Notes
The Mets lead the National League, averaging 5.82 runs per game, narrowly ahead of the Colorado Rockies (5.78). Imagine if we had a legitimate backend of the rotation? We’d have at least 11-12 wins with that kind of run support. (Joe D.)
Juan Lagares, who was promoted to the Mets from Triple-A Las Vegas today, will be available and wear Uniform No. 12 which was last worn by Scott Hairston. Wally Backman has always spoken highly of Juan Lagares who has a .282 minor league average. (Joe D.)
The Aaron Laffey era is officially over as he was claimed by the Toronto Blue Jays on waivers this afternoon. Laffey had a 7.20 ERA, allowing eight earned runs on 16 hits with four walks and nine strikeouts in 10 innings for the Mets. And so it goes… (Joe D.)
Left-hander on the mound and Ike Davis on the bench. Does Terry Collins read MMO too? It’s about time Terry… (Joe D.)
Mets minor leaguer Christian Montgomery has been suspended 50 games for a second positive test of a drug of abuse, according to Adam Rubin of ESPN New York.
Game Preview
The Mets and Dodgers start a series tomorrow night as the Mets look to build off of a series win against the Nationals. The Mets are catching the Dodgers at a good time as several players are struggling and moral is low. The Dodgers catch the Mets at an interesting time as they just beat two of the better pitchers in baseball (Strasburg, Zimmermann) and the Mets will get another challenge tonight in Clayton Kershaw.
Jon Niese had two rough starts in a row in two cold weather environments. In his first two starts, he was 2-0 over 12.2 innings with 9 strikeouts and a 2.13 ERA. In his next starts he was 1-1 after pitching 11.0 innings allowing 8 runs with 7 earned. Tonight he looks to channel the first two starts. He had a no decision in one start last year against the Dodgers allowing 3 ER over 7 innings. The Dodgers have the following against Niese:
Uribe 0-11
Hairston 1-10
Kemp 4-9
Ethier 4-9
Cruz 1-5
Punto 0-5
The Mets batters will try to rough Kershaw tonight who is 2-2 with a 1.88 ERA in his first four starts on the season. He started off the season with 16.2 scoreless innings which he followed up with 6 ER over 12.2 innings. He had one start against the Mets last year and he allowed 3 runs, 1 earned over 7 innings of work. The Mets have the following numbers against Clayton:
Wright 2-12, 2B
Buck 1-8
Turner 1-10
Byrd 6-9
Tejada 3-5
Davis 1-6, 2B
Let’s Go Mets!
