Starting Lineup
- Jordany Valdespin – RF
- Daniel Murphy – 2B
- David Wright – 3B
- Ike Davis – 1B
- Lucas Duda – LF
- John Buck – C
- Rick Ankiel – CF
- Ruben Tejada – SS
- Matt Harvey – RHP
Game Notes
The Mets’ 5-2 win against the Cardinals on Thursday was only the second time in their past 10 games they topped three runs. But when it’s rained, it’s poured for the Mets. They’ve scored seven or more runs in a game 10 times this season, tied for second in the National League with the Giants and Braves.
The Mets went 4-for-9 with runners in scoring position in the victory against St. Louis after going 11-for-53 (.208) in those situations over its previous nine contests.
Terry Collins told reporters he will continue to use Ike Davis in the cleanup spot through their weekend series with the Cubs. The team has not discussed sending Davis to the minor leagues, according to reporters. Davis is hitless in his last 22 at-bats and is batting .157 with 4 home runs this season.
David Wright is batting .379 during day games, the fourth-highest average in the National League. Also, Daniel Murphy is batting .394 on the road this season, the best mark in the NL. Murphy has hit safely in five straight games, with three multi-hit efforts, including Thursday’s four-hit outburst.
Game Preview
The Mets stopped the losing yesterday afternoon as they beat the Cardinals by the score of 5-2 and avoided the sweep. This afternoon, the Mets look to repair their season by building off of yesterday’s win. Murphy was a big reason for success yesterday with a 4-4 day at the plate with 2 doubles and going an overall 11 for his last 17 (after going 0-17). In addition to Murphy yesterday, the Mets got some good starting pitching from someone not named Matt Harvey. Speaking of Matt Harvey, happy Harvey Day!
Matt is still 4-0 this season thanks to the Mets bullpen and really the Mets offense in his last several starts. It speaks to the season Harvey is having that we were disappointed with 7 inning, 2 ER, 4 K performance his last time out that actually raised his ERA to 1.44. This afternoon will be Harvey’s first time pitching in Chicago, pitching against Chicago and facing any batter on the Chicago roster.
The Mets bats will square off with Edwin Jackson who is 1-5 over the first 8 starts of the year with a 6.02 ERA over 43.1 innings of work. His last start wasn’t bad as he allowed 2 ER over 5.1 innings but in his previous two starts he has allowed 12 ER in 9.2 innings of work. Last season he was 1-1 against the Mets in three starts with a 3.32 ERA in 19.0 innings. The Mets have the following numbers against Edwin:
Byrd 6-21, 4 2B, HR
Buck 3-13, HR
Wright 2-10
Murphy 1-9
Tejada 0-7
Davis 2-6, 2B, HR
Duda 1-6, 2B
Lets Go Mets!
