MMO Game Thread: A's vs Mets. 7:10 PM

After a day off on Monday, the New York Mets are back in action for brief sprint series against the Oakland A’s. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 PM at Citi Field.

Bartolo Colon (7-5, 3.88) who has been excellent over his last several starts, goes up against Scott Kazmir (9-2, 2.08) in what could be an excellent pitching matchup.

In his last six starts, Colon is 5-0 with an ERA of 1.66. Opponents have only been able to hit a mere .200 against him during this stretch, and has only given up eight walks while striking out 31. He has the second lowest ERA since the middle of May and hasn’t allowed more than two earned runs in his last six starts. Colon has a strikeout/walk ratio of 5.31 which is the second best in the National League and sixth best in all of baseball.

Colon is looking for his sixth straight win. The last Mets pitcher to do that was R.A. Dickey who won 11 straight decisions in 2012.

David Wright is streaking. He is in the midst of a seven-game hit streak, and has at least one RBI in six consecutive games. It is his longest RBI streak since recording one in seven straight back in 2010 which was a career high. During hit streak, Wright has two home runs, four doubles, and has driven in seven.

Also streak is Curtis Granderson. Granderson has reached base safely in a career best 31 games. He is hitting .298 with an on base percentage of .441 during that stretch. His hot month of June continues as he is second in the majors with an on base percentage of .469, and his .344 average this month ranks fifth.

If this season is any indication of how this game will play out there will be plenty of runners on base. The Mets lead the National League in walks with 282. That number puts them second in the major leagues. The team leading baseball in walks will be starring them down across the diamond. The A’s lead the majors with 318 free passes.

The Mets announced some roster moves on Tuesday prior to the game. Travis d’Arnaud, who tore things up in Las Vegas has been recalled, and Taylor Teagarden has been placed on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to June 22nd.

Starting Lineup

Eric Young Jr – LF
Daniel Murphy – 2B
David Wright – 3B
Eric Campbell – 1B
Curtis Granderson – RF
Chris Young – CF
Travis d’Arnaud – C
Ruben Tejada – SS
Bartolo Colon – P

The Mets are coming off taking a series from the Marlins, winning 4 of their last 5, which is great! Their reward? The mighty Oakland Athletics come into town for a two game set. The twist? Scott Kazmir gets a start in Queens? The additional story line? Bartolo Colon gets to start against his most recent old team.

Colon is 7-5 this season with a 3.88 ERA over 14 starts and 92.2 innings. In his last six starts he is 5-0 over 43.1 innings with a 1.66 ERA and 31 strikeouts while only walking 8 batters. He has made 18 starts and one relief appearance against the Oakland with an 8-6 record over 117.2 innings and a 3.52 ERA. The Athletics have the following numbers against Colon:

Callaspo 7-26, 3 2B, HR
Crisp 5-23, 5 2B
Gentry 4-9
Jaso 0-7
Punto 2-7

Kazmir is 9-2 over 15 starts and 95.0 innings with a league leading 2.08 ERA (seriously!). He has made four starts in the month of June with a 3-0 record over 26.1 innings with an ERA of 1.37 and 27 strikeouts. In one career start against the Mets he shut them out over 6.0 innings allowing 4 hits. The Mets have the following numbers against him: