Angel Pagan will again lead off, followed by?Luis Castillo,?Daniel Murphy,?David Wright, Jeff Francoeur,?Jeremy Reed,?Alex Cora and Brian Schneider.
Fernando Nieve (3-3, 3.03 ERA) will start for the Mets.
Angel Pagan will again lead off, followed by?Luis Castillo,?Daniel Murphy,?David Wright, Jeff Francoeur,?Jeremy Reed,?Alex Cora and Brian Schneider.
Fernando Nieve (3-3, 3.03 ERA) will start for the Mets.
Update, 6:47 pm, by Matthew Cerrone:
Omar Minaya said the Mets will receive ?cash considerations? in the deal from the Braves with Francoeur.
The Mets lost to the Dodgers tonight, by the score of 8 to 0.
For a full recap and box score, click?here.
The Mets lost to the Orioles, 4?3, tonight in Baltimore.
To read a full recap, and see the boxscore,?go here.
Ted Berg: While I think the Mets could really use Jose Reyes? bat and glove right now, if we?re playing with hypotheticals I?d love to see Carlos Delgado back for a couple of reasons. I think first base is one position at which they can most reasonably expect to add a bat if need be, so if Delgado could (magically) return early, they could get a sense of what they are going to get from him going moving forward. We?ve seen guys make full recoveries from hip injuries, so if Delgado could come back and hit like he did in the second half of 2008, all of a sudden the need for a power bat doesn?t look so glaring. If he looks like the injury is going to affect him all year, the Mets should get a better sense of their deadline approach.
Matthew Cerrone: I'd probably say the healthy, dominant J.J. Putz - or Billy Wagner - because order in the bullpen and shortening the game is so important.? However, right now, I think I agree with Ted, I'd bring back Delgado, because the bullpen is useless if the team can't score runs.? The lineup is in dire need of instant offense, and someone to take pressure off of everyone, including David Wright and Jose Reyes.? Delgado from the second-half of last season would make a significant impact on this roster.
For a complete recap, boxscore and stats, go here.
The Least You Should Know:
As the Mets kickoff ?a three-game series against their division rival Phillies tonight, I did a quick Q&A with Matt P. from The 700 Level:
Mike Nichols:?With Brett Myers out indefinitely with a hip injury, do you think it is necessary for the Phillies to acquire a top of the line starter to compliment Cole Hamels or after seeing Antonio Bastardo throw two solid outings and the rest of the staff settling in has the urgency to acquire a starting pitcher lessened?
?sorry, sam, green has the curse of number 48, whether we like it or not?
Over at SNY.tv, Howard Megdal wonders how the Mets will perform in their recently rare position of being the underdog.
Phillies closer Brad Lidge made a deal with Satan. So says Paul Francis Sullivan at his blog Sully Baseball.
Have an interesting Manny Ramirez-esque Mets anecdote? Then head on over to Metsopolis, who is giving away tickets to the July 8 Mets-Dodgers game for the best personal Mets related story.
On if he expects more of these type of tight games with the lineup he has been given:
"We have to play in this manner. This is how we have to play. We can't afford to make mistakes or bad decisions. Not even from a strategic point of view, even early. We have to make sure everything is done correctly. We got some good pitching tonight, which is what we have to go on. That has to be the foundation of our success. We got good relief. That is how we have to do it."The baserunning mistakes:
Mike Nichols:?In a recent post to your blog, you stated the lack of success of recently fired pitching coach Randy St. Claire had more to do with the front office's selection of pitching talent than St. Claire's coaching. ?Do you believe new pitching coach Steve McCatty will have the same difficulties or will his philosophy be better suited for the Nationals turn towards their younger pitching staff?
Willy from?The Nats Blog:? From what I have read there is a pretty big difference in the two?s pitching philosophies. Randy St. Claire was famous for his use of video analysis, breaking down a pitchers every move on the field to try and perfect their actions on the mound. He wanted pitchers to think about everything they did, every motion they made. McCatty on the other hand cares less about mechanics and more about a pitchers mental approach. He has said that he believes if you are talented enough to be in the big leagues then all that matters is your mental approach and your ability to ?attack the zone.?
?i think we all as Mets fans need to take step back and do the same? the last two nights have been disappointing to say the least, however considering the circumstances, the Mets have done a terrific job piecing things together since Jose Reyes, Carlos Delgado, Ryan Church were all sidelined with injuries?
The Real Dirty Mets Blog takes a look at today in Mets infamy.
Verducci also notes Shapiro would need a king's ransom before considering trading players like Victor Martinez and Cliff Lee.
Speaking of De Rosa, Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com reports the Cardinals are seeking a De Rosa-type player, if not De Rosa himself.
Broadway, who is 0-1 with a 5.06 ERA in in games this season, will report to Triple-A Buffalo.
Omar Minaya, on the decision to trade Castro, speaking to reporters after the game:
On his preformance:
"I know if go out there and pound the strikezone ?and use all my pitches to get ahead I know can go deep in the game. I try not to walk anybody and do my thing."On Omir Santos' ability behind the plate:
On being surprised by Omir Santos play this season:
"He is a Major League hitter, which has been surprising. We all thought he could receive and call the game. The surprising thing is that he has hit and hit well in the clutch. That's big for us."If he thinks Santos wants to be in clutch situations:
According to Zolecki, while Axelrod believes the Phillies fit many of Peavy?s requirements, Philadelphia?s geographic location would most likely be a difference maker in Peavy?s decision.
?while the Phillies are in desperate need of starting pitching, from what i can gather, the likelihood of the Phillies trading for a high-priced pitcher is unlikely as the team has nearly exhausted their budget for this season?
?with all the injuries many have been clamoring for the Mets to make a move?while i have criticized Omar Minaya for handcuffing Jerry Manuel with a short bench, as he and his medical staff seemingly take day after day to determine if the disabled list is an option for several of his players, i appreciate that minaya has not panicked and has been patient in assessing his teams needs?
?while the roster continues to be in state of flux, the worst mistake minaya and company could make would be to make a trade for the sake of making a trade just to the appease those wanting them to do so?
Adam Rubin of the Daily News reports Francisco Rodriguez has been taken to a local Boston hospital for further evaluation.
For further information and quotes from Rodriguez and Jerry Manuel, check out Rubin's blog.
The Mets defeated the Red Sox by the score of 3-to-2, tonight in Fenway Park.
For a complete recap, boxscore, stats,?click here.
The Mets defeated the Red Sox by the score of 5-to-3, tonight in Fenway Park.
For a complete recap, boxscore, stats, click here.