Starting Lineup (Game 1)
- Jordany Valdespin – RF
- Daniel Murphy – 2B
- David Wright – 3B
- Ike Davis – 1B
- John Buck – C
- Lucas Duda – LF
- Kirk Nieuwenhuis – CF
- Ruben Tejada – SS
- Dillon Gee – RHP
Game Notes
Right-hander Shaun Marcum, who has yet to pitch this season due to neck and shoulder issues, is scheduled to throw three to four innings in a game-type atmosphere Thursday in Florida, according to Collins. That will preclude Marcum from rejoining the Mets this weekend, but could put him in line to do so next week.
Matt Harvey, who tamed the Philadelphia Phillies, then took a no-hit bid two outs into the seventh inning against the Minnesota Twins last week, earned NL Player of the Week honors.
Coors Field will have a nostalgic feel to it Tuesday as the Rockies and Mets belatedly celebrate Jackie Robinson Day and commemorate the 20th anniversary of the first game played in the history of the Colorado franchise.
The clubs will play a split doubleheader thanks to a snowstorm sweeping through the Denver area on Monday. Both of the scheduled Tuesday games could be in danger as well with wintery conditions remaining on the forecast.
Doubleheader Preview
The Mets were postponed again yesterday due to snow and that is going to force a Colorado Day/Night Doubleheader. This article is being written at 8 PM Monday Night, so there is a possibility that these pitching match-ups may be off. At this time it looks like Dillon Gee will take on Juan Nicasio. The second game is murkier. Mets.com is reporting that Laffey will get the start vs Jeff Francis although there still may be the possibility of Hefner getting the start. Below is yesterday’s game preview for the first game, since it is still applicable and that will be followed by a Laffey/Hefner preview.
GAME ONE:
Dillon Gee has had two very different starts so far this season. In his first start he picked up the loss despite pitching 6.1 innings allowing only one earned run. In his second start against the Phillies, he allowed 7 ER and 10 hits over 3.0 innings. Last year he made one start against the Rockies where he allowed 4 runs, 3 earned over 7 innings of work. The Rockies have the following numbers against Gee:
Herrera 0-4
Cuddyer 1-3
Fowler 0-3
Gonzalez 1-2
Helton 1-2, 2B
Tulo 2-3
The Mets hope to keep their warm bats with them in chilly Denver tonight as they take on Juan Nicasio who is 1-0 over two starts this season with a 4.91 ERA pitching 11.o innings, 7 BB’s and 4 K’s. Last season Nicasio pitched 58.0 innings over 11 games with a 5.28 ERA. This will be Nicasio’s first start against the Mets and the only person on the Mets who has faced Juan is John Buck who is 0-3 lifetime against him.
GAME TWO:
Aaron Laffey will probably get the start in the night cap. His first start for the Mets was rough as he allowed 3 runs and 10 hits over 4 innings of work in a game the Mets eventually won. He followed that outing up with a clean inning of work against the Twins. He has made one career start against the Rockies where he allowed 3 ER over 6 innings of work. The Rockies have the following numbers against Laffey:
Cuddyer 8-22, 3 2B, 3B, HR
Helton 0-2
Brignac 0-2
There is also the possibility that the Mets will go with Hefner tonight as well (and if they don’t, then I have part of tomorrow’s preview done). Hefner has had one good start and one poor start on the season. His first start of the season he allowed 1 ER over 6 innings of work and in his second start, he allowed 5 ER over 3.0 innings. The 5 ER was disheartening but Jeremy has not had success against the Phillies in Philly. Hefner has never faced the Rockies in his short career and has never faced anyone on the Rockies’ roster.
The Mets bats will finish off their day against Jeff Francis who is 1-1 over two starts this season allowing 8 runs, 5 earned 7.2 innings and 12 hits. Last season he was 6-7 over 24 games with a 5.58 ERA and 113.0 innings. Last year he had one successful start against the Mets where he allowed only one earned run over 5 innings of work against the Mets, who have the following numbers against Jeff:
Wright 6-13, 3 HR
Buck 3-11, 2B
Byrd 1-3
Tejada 1-3, 2B
Davis 0-2
Laffey 1-2
Let’s Go Mets!
