preGame: Mets vs. Nationals (Game 3)
The Game
The first-place Mets (87–70) look to salvage one vs. the Nationals (71-87) this evening at Shea Stadium, starting at 7:10 pm EDT.
The Lineup
- SS Jose Reyes
- 2B Luis Castillo
- 3B David Wright
- CF Carlos Beltran
- LF Moises Alou
- 1B Carlos Delgado
- C Paul Lo Duca
- RF Carlos Gomez
- SP Philip Humber
The Pitchers
Philip Humber makes his first major league start for the Mets tonight. In two relief appearances this season, Humber has allowed a run over three innings. In 25 starts with Triple-A New Orleans this season, the 24-year old Humber was 11-9 with a 4.27 ERA. He was fifth in the Pacific Coast League with 120 strikeouts. Opponents hit .244 vs. Humber — lefties hit .230 while righties hit .256.
Mike Bacsik (5-8, 4.76 ERA) starts for the Nats. Bacsik hasn’t started since September 11th at Florida, when he allowed five runs on eight hits (including three home runs) over 2.2 IP. Righties are hitting .288 with 17 homers off the southpaw this season. In three appearances against the Mets this season (one start, two in relief) Bacsik is 1-0 with a 1.74 ERA (2 ER allowed in 10.1 IP).
The Notes
The Mets have lost four out of their last five games against the Nationals. The Mets are in danger of dropping six straight at home for the first time since the 2004 season.
Moises Alou carries his club-record 29-game hitting streak into tonight’s game.
Carlos Gomez has just one hit in 13 at-bats (.077) this month. He hit a sacrifice fly on Monday.
Five of Austin Kearns’ 16 home runs this season have come against the Mets, including one in each of the first two games of this series.
The Bleachers
For a live chat, head over to The Hot Foot Bleachers.
…enjoy…and as always, let’s go mets…
