Kansas City Royals manager Ned Yost named right-hander Edinson Volquez as their Opening Day starter when they’ll play the New York Mets in a historic World Series rematch at Kauffman Stadium.

“He had a phenomenal year last year,” Yost told reporters. “He’s the veteran guy of our staff. He deserved it.”

Volquez will of course face Mets right-hander Matt Harvey on Sunday, April 3, reenacting their dramatic Game 1 and Game 5 confrontations of last season’s Fall Classic.

“It’ll be like a video we’re watching over and over,” Volquez said after learning he would pitch the season opener. “I’m going to face Harvey again. It’s going to be a great game. He’s a great pitcher too.”

When these two pitchers last faced each other, Volquez surrendered two runs in six innings, while Harvey threw eight scoreless innings before allowing two runs in a stunning ninth inning that led to the Mets’ defeat.

In the second game of the two-game series, the Royals will start right-hander Ian Kennedy while the Mets are expected to start their young hard-throwing righty Noah Syndergaard. The Royals signed Kennedy to a five-year, $70 million deal during the offseason.

It all begins is seven days.

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During the past 30 days, only four other teams have struck out at a higher rate than the Mets.

Mets’ hitters struck out in 23.2 percent of their plate appearances in this span, which is the fifth highest mark in the league.

This problem has been magnified during the last two games against San Diego. Padres’ starter Andrew Cashner punched out 12 Mets in 4.2 innings while Ian Kennedy fanned eight in six innings.

Overall, New York has struck out at total of 28 times in these two games.

It’s critical for the lineup to start making better contact, especially since it does not supply a lot of power.

The Mets are 19th in the MLB in home runs and 28th in slugging percentage. Low power numbers combined with poor contact hitting and high strikeout rates is a very concerning mix.

The NL average for strikeout rate is 20.5 percent. The Mets have more than half their hitters striking out at a higher rate, led by Anthony Recker (31.7), John Mayberry (28.6), Kevin Plawecki (27.9), Michael Cuddyer (23.6), Curtis Granderson (22.4) and Lucas Duda (22.3).

Daniel Murphy is one of the toughest hitters to strikeout, leading the team with a 7.7 percent strikeout rate.

Meanwhile, the strikeout numbers on the pitching side are extremely encouraging. New York has one of the most overpowering staffs in the majors as they are top ten in the MLB in K’s and K/9.

In the month of May, Mets’ pitchers posted a 8.38 K/9. The league average stands at 7.66.

The Mets’ also have a firm lead in the MLB in strikeout to walk ratio. Their 4.10 K/BB still remains the best in baseball. The next closest team is the Cubs at 3.50.

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The trade deadline is over and Bartolo Colon will make his next scheduled start. Joel Sherman of the New York Post said there were teams that were interested, but not at Sandy Alderson’s asking price. Sherman expects the Mets to try and move Colon in the offseason.

Teams were also reluctant to take on Colon because of his age and the $15 million still due to him though the 2015 season.

He’ll be easier to move this winter when he has just one year and $11 million remaining on his deal, which may seem comparable to other available starting pitchers on the market.

July 31

Here are the latest rumblings from some baseball insiders on Mets starter Bartolo Colon and whether he’ll still be a Met by the end of today’s non-waiver trade deadline at 4:00 PM EST.

The Baltimore Orioles have checked in on Colon according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. However, Heyman hears that the Mets are still undecided on whether to trade him. Heyman says the Giants and Mariners are among other teams that have been mentioned for Colon as possibilities, but that teams are hesitant due to his $11 million salary during his age 42 season in 2015.

Matt Cerrone of MetsBlog says that the Mets have no interest in paying Colon any of the money he has left on his contract and they are waiting to simply place him on waivers August 1 and trade him for nothing to any team that claims him just to shed themselves of his contract.

However, MLB Trade Rumors says that while the Mets aren’t sure whether or not they’ll trade him at this time yet, GM Sandy Alderson isn’t one to simply dump salary in trades.

Andy Martino of the New York Daily News reports that “there’s no traction between the Royals and the Mets for Colon” and that barring a change, “the Mets don’t seem likely to be active today”. However, Martino adds that he’d be surprised if Colon were with the Mets in 2015, suggesting that any deal for Colon won’t happen until the offseason.

Joel Sherman of the New York Post also hears the same on Mets being likely to stand pat today. Sherman says that a better market will develop for Colon in the offseason, when he’ll have just one year and $11 million remaining on his contract.

Finally, Mike Puma of the New York Post reported that “nothing has changed” regarding Bartolo Colon. and that the Mets “won’t eat any of the $13 million” he is owed. Team officials told him that they expect the veteran right-hander will still be a Met on 8/1.

July 30

Andy Martino of the New York Daily News is reporting that the Kansas City Royals are interested in New York Met’s starting pitcher Bartolo Colon.  The Royals are looking to add depth to their rotation, but the main question is whether they have the payroll flexibility to take Colon’s remaining contract, which is approximately $14.25 over the next year and remainder of this season.  However, the Mets are supposedly willing to eat around $2 million of that amount in order to facilitate a trade.

As Thursday’s trade deadline gets closer, the pool of available starting pitchers is growing shallow.  The Tampa Bay Rays woke up out of slump and have climbed back into the playoff race, winning 9 out of their last 10 after the All-Star break.  Speculation swirled around a potential trade of ace pitcher David Price, but given their recent success, it’s only makes sense they would retain him.

San Diego had made Ian Kennedy available in talks, but rumors indicate that the Padres are more likely to trade reliever Joaquin Benoit.  This year, Kennedy has a respectable 3.66  ERA and opponents are batting .245 against him, but San Diego hasn’t received any offers that justify moving one of the stronger pieces of their rotation. 

The only other remaining big ticket pitchers being discussed are Philadelphia’s starters, Cliff Lee and A.J. Burnett.  The problem with both players is the timing and size of their contracts.  Both are free agents at the end of 2014 and Lee, in particular, is owed more money over the second half of this season alone (approximately $16.5+ million)  than Colon would be owed over the remainder of his deal.

The Royals have a few position prospects that could complement the Mets growing list of position players on the farm, but it is unknown whether the Mets have evaluated any of Kansas City’s top young talent and who would be the most plausible fit should a trade be executed.  Colon’s most recent performance on Monday night certainly put his veteran talents on display as he breezed through 7.2 innings surrendering 1 earned run and lowering his ERA on the season to 3.88.  It will be interesting to see what happens over the next 24+ hours, but the Mets now appear in a better position to move Bartolo off the books than they did earlier in the week.

The post Teams Were Unwilling To Meet Mets’ Asking Price On Colon appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

The long All-Star break is finally over.  The Mets look to continue where they left off, carrying over a three-game win streak into San Diego for the next three games against the Padres.  The first pitch is scheduled for 10:10 PM at PETCO Park.

Bartolo Colon (8-8, 3.99), who has lost three straight, gets the nod in the series opener against the Padres’ Ian Kennedy (7-9, 3.47) who is 2-0 with an ERA of 0.86 in the month of July (3 starts).

The third place Mets are one win away from their season-high four-game win streak which they had earlier in July.  They are 4-2-1 in their last seven series.  The last time these two teams met was back in June, with the Mets taking two of three from the Padres.

Displaying some power, New York has hit 26 home runs in their last 25 games.  That is the most in the National League in that span, and it is tied for fifth-most in the majors.  The Mets also have 42 extra-base hits this month which is tied for the second-most in the National League, and fourth-most in the majors.  Their .440 slugging percentage this month is also in the top five in the majors.

The Captain is picking the “Wright” time to get hot.  David Wright has recorded a hit in 17 out of his last 19 games.  He is hitting at a torrid clip of .375 (27-72) with four home runs and 15 RBI in his last 19 games.  The Mets are 12-5 in Wright’s last 17 starts.

The Travis d’Arnaud turnaround has been something of a joy to watch.  Prior to his demotion to Triple-A Las Vegas, d’Arnaud was hitting .180 with three home runs and nine RBI.  Since his return on June 24th, 16 games, Travis is hitting .295 with three home runs and 10 RBI.

The Mets will be in good shape in the coming weeks if their starting pitching continues where they left off.  In their last seven games, the starting staff has a record of 5-1 with an ERA of 1.80.  The bullpen has held up their end as well throwing 10.1 scoreless in their last five.

Jeurys Familia and Jenrry Mejia have allowed a combined three earned runs in their last 30 innings.  Familia is tied for sixth in the National League in appearances with 44, and Mejia is 10-for-12 in save chances since the move to the bullpen in mid-May.

Starting Lineup

1. Curtis Granderson – RF
2. Daniel Murphy – 2B
3. David Wright – 3B
4. Lucas Duda – 1B
5. Travis d’Arnaud – C
6. Kirk Nieuwenhuis – LF
7. Juan Lagares – CF
8. Ruben Tejada – SS
9. Bartolo Colon – P

Another month, another west coast trip for the Mets (which is the result of when the NL East playing the AL West this year). Before the four day break, the Mets were on a roll with a 8-2 home stand and now look to take the fun to Petco Park. Colon starts off the second half for the Mets in a start that could be an audition for other teams. On the season he is 8-8 over 18 starts and 121.1 innings with a 3.99 ERA. After back to back starts allowing 5 ER each, he allowed 3 ER over 8.0 innings against the Braves in a losing effort. He faced the Padres earlier this year allowing 2 ER over 7.1 innings with 7 strikeouts. The Padres have the following numbers against Colon:

• Abreu 5-25, 2B, 2 HR
• Granderson 4-13, 2 HR
• Murphy 0-3
• Wright 1-3
• Duda 1-2
• Tejada 0-2

The Mets bats will get a crack at Ian Kennedy tonight, he is 7-9 on the season over 20 starts and 124.1 innings with a 3.47 ERA. He has made three starts in July with a 2-0 record over 21.0 innings with a 0.86 ERA and 22 K’s. Earlier this season he faced the Mets allowing 3 ER over 5.1 innings and 7 hits while striking out 7. The Mets have the following numbers against Kennedy:

• Wright 5-15, 2 2B, 2 HR
• E Young 2-14
• Murphy 3-12, 2B, HR
• Granderson 3-6, HR
• Recker 2-7, 2B
• Duda 1-6, 2B
• Abreu 2-5, 2B

Lets Go Mets!

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The Mets play a rubber game Sunday against the San Diego Padres at 1:10 p.m. at Citi Field. Daisuke Matsuzaka (3-0, 2.95 ERA) opposes right-hander Ian Kennedy (5-7, 3.63) in the Father’s Day finale.

Starting Lineup

1. Curtis Granderson – CF
2. Daniel Murphy – 2B
3. David Wright -3B
4. Bobby Abreu – RF
5. Andrew Brown – LF
6. Lucas Duda – 1B
7. Wilmer Flores – SS
8. Anthony Recker – C
9. Daisuke Matsuzaka – RHP

The Mets find themselves in another rubber game today as they take on the Padres. Yesterday the Mets were just not able to find their bats, but at least fans got to see 50 cent after the game. Anyway, today Ian Kennedy takes the mound for the Padres while Daisuke Matsuzaka goes up for the Amazins.

Matsuzaka is 3-0 over 19 games and 3 starts this year pitching 39.2 innings with a 2.95 ERA. He was able to bounce back from his tough start in Chicago with a good start against the Brewers picking up the win after allowing 1 ER over 6.0 innings of work. He has made one career start against the Padres picking up the win after allowing 5 hits and one earned run over 6. Only three current Padres have seen him during a major league game:

• Quentin 1-7, 2B
• Smith 5-5, 2B, HR (Really)
• Headley 1-1

The Mets bats will get a look at the old Yankee prospect and 2011 league leader in wins Ian Kennedy who is 5-7 this year with a 3.63 ERA over 14 starts, 86.2 innings of work and a 3.63 ERA. His last start was the second worst of the season allowing 5 ER to the Phillies over 7.0 innings and in two starts againsst the Mets last year he allowed 7 ER over 13 hits in 11.2 innings. The Mets have the following numbers against Ian:

• Wright 5-13, 2 2B, 2 HR
• Murphy 2-10, HR
• Brown 1-7
• Granderson 1-4
• Recker 2-5, 2B
• Tejada 2-5
• Duda 0-3

Lets Go Mets!

The post MMO Game Thread: Padres vs Mets, 1:05 PM appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Oh, the Mets must be regretting that strike-out promotion now… Jon Niese became the second starter to take the mound for a sixth inning and cross the 100-pitch mark in two days — and backed up Wheeler’s dominant performance yesterday with a quality start of his own.

I was a little worried about Niese being thrown out there for the sixth considering he’s rehabbing from a partially torn rotator cuff…but he looked really sharp over his six innings of work. He, like Wheeler last night, got a little strikeout happy and ran up his pitch count early because of it, but sometimes it just happens. He looked a lot more comfortable than he did in his last start, though. His only run given up was off a Will Venable solo home run.

Offensively, the Mets hit three home runs in support of Niese — one each from Marlon Byrd, Ike Davis, and Daniel Murphy. Murphy’s long ball was a two-run shot. Ike Davis has historically destroyed Ian Kennedy over the smallest sample size ever…but after today, he is 4-for-5 against him with four home runs. Yeesh. Byrd and Davis going back-to-back was quite a moment for the Mets tonight and really gave them the early momentum in the third.

Scott Rice, Carlos Torres, and LaTroy Hawkins combined to finish the game for Niese with three strong innings. Torres allowed an inherited runner from Rice to score, but Ike Davis was active on defense all night and made a nice little toss from the ground to a sprinting Torres to save a hit.  Hawkins picked up save number four on the season after a solid ninth inning of work.

The official count for the Mets strikeout promotion now stands at 28% off, as the Mets added 13 Ks to yesterday’s 15. Niese struck out nine, Rice set down a pair, and Torres and Hawkins punched one man out each. Jenrry Mejia goes tomorrow to try and jump that total over 40%.

The post Byrd And Davis Slam Back-To-Back Bombs In 5-2 Mets Win appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Mets at Padres • 10:10 PM • Petco Park

Jon Niese (4-6, 4.45) vs Ian Kennedy (4-8, 4.97)

Starting Lineup

1. Eric Young, Jr. – CF
2. Daniel Murphy – 2B
3. Marlon Byrd – RF
4. Ike Davis – 1B
5. Josh Satin – 3B
6. Mike Baxter – LF
7. John Buck – C
8. Omar Quintanilla – SS
9. Jon Niese – LHP

Game Notes 

• RHP LaTroy Hawkins was still ailing Thursday, one day after taking comebacker off the groin in Wednesday’s setback to the Dodgers. “It seemed like the bus driver hit every bump he could find,” Hawkins said of the trip from L.A. to San Diego. Hawkins gave up a game-tying homer to Dodgers PH Andre Ethier in the ninth inning after Jerry Hairston Jr.’s hard grounder hit him squarely. Hawkins was moving around gingerly in the Mets’ clubhouse before Thursday’s game, and he got the night off.
• 3B Wilmer Flores, who is hobbling with a twisted right ankle suffered in Monday’s loss to the Dodgers, may be able to avoid the disabled list, manager Terry Collins said Thursday. “I think in a couple of more days, he’s wearing boots during the day, he’ll get better,” Collins said before the Mets opened a four-game series in San Diego. Collins and the Mets surely hope so. Flores, 22, got off to a sizzling start, tying a club record with nine RBIs in his first six major league games. He is 8-for-28 (.286) on the season.
• LHP Jonathon Niese, who starts against the Padres on Friday, earned a win in his last outing, a 9-5 victory over the Diamondbacks. Niese worked six innings, allowing four runs and seven hits. He struck out five and walked one. Niese is 2-2 with a 2.15 ERA in his career against the Padres. In his last start against San Diego on Opening Day, he picked up a win in a 11-2 New York victory. Niese allowed two runs on four hits with four strikeouts and two walks in 6 2/3 innings.
• OF Marlon Byrd hit a two-run double with two outs in the eighth inning to lift the Mets to a 4-1 victory over the Padres at Petco Park on Thursday night. Byrd, who went 2-for-4, lined RHP Luke Gregerson‘s pitch over the head of RF Chris Denorfia, scoring Mike Baxter and Daniel Murphy, after Padres manager Bud Black ordered an intentional walk to Murphy. Byrd is hitting .321 with 25 RBIs since July 1 and is batting .387 in the past nine games.
• RHP Zack Wheeler recorded a career-high 12 strikeouts in six innings, allowing a run on seven hits and one walk. He threw 115 pitches (73 pitches). Wheeler lowered his road ERA to 2.11 through seven starts. He joined Pedro Martinez and Nolan Ryan as the only Mets pitchers to strike out 12 or more batters in six innings or less.
• RHP Bobby Parnell, out since July 31 with a herniated disk in his neck, isn’t expected to come off the disabled list anytime soon. “He hasn’t thrown. There is no timetable for him,” manager Terry Collins said Thursday. Collins added that he wasn’t sure if Parnell would need surgery.
• C John Buck hit a solo home run off San Diego RHP Tim Stauffer in the ninth inning, ending a 25-game skid without a home run. It also was his first extra-base hit in 15 games.

Game Preview

The Mets broke their three game slide last night beating the Padres 4-1! The Amazin’s look to keep that going tonight as they play game two of four. In case you missed last night, Wheeler was great going 6 innings, allowing 1 ER striking out 12 batters. Byrd hit a key double that brought in two runs and Buck added his 15th homer of the year. Tonight Niese will get his second start since coming back from the DL as he squares up against Ian Kennedy.

Jon Niese is 4-6 over 15 starts with a 4.45 ERA while pitching 83.0 innings and striking out 54 batters. He allowed 7 hits and 4 ER over 6 innings in his first start back from the DL. He also walked a batter and struck out 5. His first start of the season was against the Padres where he allowed 2 ER and 4 hits over 6.2 innings. The Padres have the following numbers against Jon:

Guzman 2-7
Forsythe 2-7, 2B
Hundley 2-7, 3B
Cedeno 1-4
Alonso 1-3, HR

The Mets bats get to deal with Ian Kennedy tonight who is 4-8 on the season over 23 games and 137.2 innings with a 4.97 ERA. Kennedy was traded midseason to the Padres and since joining them he is 0-1 with a 2.63 in two starts. He faced the Mets earlier this season with the Diamondbacks where he allowed 2 ER over 7 innings. The Mets have the following numbers against him:

Byrd 3-12
Young 2-11
Buck 2-8
Davis 3-7, 3 HR (Seriously)
Brown 1-7
Murphy 1-7

Lets Go Mets!

The post Mets vs Padres: Niese Takes The Hill, Baxter In LF, Young In CF, Lagares Sits This One Out appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

The Mets lost a tough one tonight as the Arizona Diamondbacks came from behind to beat the Mets by the score of 5-3 at Citi Field.

Matt Harvey started and was cruising along until the sixth inning when after allowing a walk to catcher Miguel Montero and a single to Martin Prado, Cody Ross slammed a three-run homer to put the D’Backs up 3-2. In the next inning, Harvey allowed a lead-off walk and a single before letting up an RBI-double to Eric Chavez that would end his night. Scott Rice would relieve Harvey and the book was closed on the Mets ace after a sac fly allowed a fifth run to cross the plate.

The final line was 60 innings pitched, 5 earned runs, 9 hits and 3 walks. Harvey had nine strikeouts, but was clearly not on top of his game tonight. His command was sketchy and he served up a few hanging sliders that proved very costly. It was one of the worst career starts statistically for Harvey and he got saddled with his second loss of the season. He is now 7-2 with a 2.27 ERA.

Rice, David Aardsma, Josh Edgin and Bobby Parnell combined for 3.0 scoreless innings allowing just one hit.

Offensively, all of the Mets scoring came by virtue of three solo home runs, one each by David Wright, Josh Satin and Daniel Murphy. The Mets 1-2-3 hitters combined to go 6-for-12 as Eric Young, Murphy and Wright had a pair of hits each.

Well that sucked… Maybe Harvey forgot to put on his cape or something – or maybe he was tipping his pitches? Or maybe he just had a bad game like any great pitcher. I’m sure this was just a blip on the radar so come back in five days and we’ll do it again… Same bat time… Same bat channel…

The Mets will send Dillon Gee (6-7, 4.60 ERA) to the mound for a Fourth of July matinee against Ian Kennedy (3-4, 5.36) at 1:10 PM.

The post D’Backs Bite Harvey In The Sixth As Mets Fall 5-3 appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMERICA!

D’Backs (43-41) at Mets (35-46)

RHP Ian Kennedy (3-4, 5.36) vs RHP Dillon Gee (6-7, 4.60)

Starting Lineup

1. Eric Young, Jr. – LF
2. Daniel Murphy – 2B
3. David Wright – 3B
4. Marlon Byrd – RF
5. Josh Satin – 1B
6. Anthony Recker – C
7. Omar Quintanilla – SS
8. Juan Lagares – CF
9. Dillon Gee – RHP

Game Notes

The Mets are 28-33 all-time on July 4th and have won two of its last three Independence Day match-ups. They have never faced the Diamondbacks on July 4th.

Master Sergeant Mary Kay Messenger of the US Army will sing both today’s National Anthem and God Bless America (mid-seventh inning)…For the sixth consecutive year, the Mets and Major League Baseball will wear specially designed “Stars & Stripes” caps from New Era, as part of an ongoing fundraising and awareness initiative for Welcome Back Veterans, which addresses the needs of returning veterans and their families. MLB will once again donate 100% of its net proceeds from sales of the caps to Welcome Back Veterans.

Josh Satin hit his first major league home run, a solo shot, in the fourth inning last night. Satin has reached safely in 14 straight games and has hit in a career-best nine straight games. He is batting .412 (14-34) during that stretch, which dates back to June 25. Satin has collected at least one extra-base hit in four straight games. He has seven extra-base hits in his last six games dating back to June 28, which leads the majors over that span.

The Mets had three or more home runs in a game at home for the fourth time this year and first since June 12 vs. St. Louis last night. They hit a season-high four home runs at Citi Field on April 19 vs. Washington.

Over his last 14 games, Juan Lagares has hit .292 (14-48) with seven doubles and five RBI. Since June 20, Lagares has seven doubles, tied for the most in the majors.

Dillon Gee has posted a 2.45 ERA (11 earned runs/40.1 innings) over his last six starts, going 4-1 dating back to May 30. His 2.45 ERA is tied for the 12th-lowest in the NL over that stretch. Five of the six starts have been quality starts. Gee also has 40 strikeouts during that span, the 12th most in the NL. In addition, Gee has only issued seven walks over his last six starts.

Since June 5, David Wright is hitting .375 (39-104) with 15 runs scored, 11 doubles, six home runs and 13 RBI over a span of 25 games. His on-base percentage is .435 during that span.

Game Preview

The Mets and the Diamondbacks finish their four game set on the fourth (Happy Fourth Everyone!) as the Mets look for a series victory and the Dbacks look for a series split. On the Mets rubber, Dillon Gee gets the start. On the season he is 6-7 pitching 90.0 innings with a 4.60 ERA. In June he made 3 great starts in a row, had a hiccup where he allowed 5 over 5 but came back strong in his last game allowing 1 over 6. Last year in one start against Arizona he pitched 6.0 innings allowing 2 ER. The Diamondbacks have the following numbers against Gee:

Prado 4-20, 2B Montero 2-7, HR Parra 1-7 Goldschmidt 1-4

The Mets draw Ian Kennedy in the series finale. Kennedy is 3-4 on the season pitching in 15 games with a 5.36 ERA. He’s coming off of a June that saw him make two good starts, one mediocre start, one bad start (his last outing, 4 over 4.1) and one horrific start (10 over 4). Last year he allowed 3 ER over 6.1 innings against the Mets and the Mets have the following numbers on him:

Wright 4-11, 2B, 2 HR Buck 2-8 Byrd 2-9, HR Young 2-7 Brown 0-6 Murphy 1-3

Lets Go Mets!

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