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Mike Nichols

preGame: Mets vs Braves (Game Three)
By Mike Nichols - Apr 27, 2008 12:22 pm

The Game:

The Mets (12-11) look to take the rubber-game of their three-game series against the Braves (12-12) today at Shea Stadium, starting at 1:10 pm EST.

The Lineup:

The Pitchers:

RHP Nelson Figueroa (1-1, 4.05 ERA) toes the rubber for the Mets. Figueroa earned a loss in his last start on April 22 versus the Cubs, allowing three runs on hits and five walks while striking out two over five innings pitched. In seven games, two starts versus the Braves in his career, Figueroa is 1-0 with a 3.65 ERA. During Figueroa’s first 45 pitches of the game opponents are 4-for-48 (.083).

RHP John Smoltz (3-1, 0.78 ERA) starts for the Braves. Smoltz’s first loss of the season in his last start on April 22 versus the Nationals, surrendering one run on five hits, while striking out 10 over seven innings pitched. He also struck out his 3,000th career batter in his start versus the Nationals. In 61 career appearances, 41 starts, he is 18-14 with a 3.37 ERA versus the Mets.

The Notes:

Chipper Jones (back spasms) & Yunel Escobar (cracked fingernail) are out of the Braves lineup today.

Carlos Delgado is 12-for-42 (.286) with 4 HR and 12 RBI in his career versus Smoltz.

The Braves are second in the National League with a .283 batting average.

Mark Teixeira is batting .333 (10-for-30) with 1 HR and 7 RBI in his last seven games.

Duaner Sanchez
has allowed two in hits over 6.2 IP in his seven appearances since returning to the team on April 15.

For more insight on the Braves, check out Blogger Beat.

How To Catch It:

Today’s game can be seen locally on CW11 and heard locally on WFAN.

The Bleachers:

For a live chat, head over to The Hot Foot Bleachers.

…enjoy, and as always, Let’s Go Mets

214 Responses to “preGame: Mets vs Braves (Game Three)”

  1. metsftw says:

    cracked fingernail? and you all thought beltran was soft.

    • rustystaubsillegitmateson says:

      yunel is fruitloops favorite brave u rememebr “he’s better than reyes” what a a-hole!!!

  2. John Delcos just reported that Moises Alou could have a fracture in his ankle…so much for seeing him on Monday. This guy cant catch a break.

  3. bvaz says:

    I think this is a very big game. Smoltz is obviously a great pitcher. but the Braves have some players out and with Santana going tomorrow, you only hope a win today can extend to at least a 3 game winning streak.
    the Phils are starting to play well and this would put Atlanta on a bit of a downward spiral (hopefully).
    They need a big win and today is the day to do it.

  4. Jaded1983 says:

    im going to check out the chat for the first time today. anyone else use it?

  5. khmustache says:

    nice catch endy!

  6. gomets6091 says:

    wait, Smoltz is 18-14 lifetime against the Mets? When did those 14 losses come, in ‘88 and ‘89? I don’t remember the Mets beating him in the past decade…

  7. jose--jose-jose-jose says:

    Thats nasty, Figg. Froze Texiera.

  8. metsmets17 says:

    You ever think Beltran is too selective at times? Sometimes I think when he is slumping, he digs himself a 2 strike hole way too often.

    I love watching Brooklyn Fig pitch.

  9. rustystaubsillegitmateson says:

    did jose double or triple???

  10. metsmets17 says:

    Time to get Prada Bag into a double play

  11. rustystaubsillegitmateson says:

    a fig grows in brooklyn!!!

  12. khmustache says:

    sweet!

  13. twassel says:

    In the last three years, Smoltz’s record against the Mets is 3-2, 2-2, and 2-1. He’s 1-0 so far this year.

    • rustystaubsillegitmateson says:

      twassel we gave him that game at shea last april you know the him and the traitor glavine game when both stunk up the joint

  14. These Braves uniforms are gross looking. Are these brand new? I’ve never seen them before.

  15. khmustache says:

    SUPERNOVA!!!

  16. jose--jose-jose-jose says:

    What a shot.

  17. CitizenSnips says:

    I can not believe it. Smoltz looks lost.

    • rustystaubsillegitmateson says:

      didn’t they say smoltz has been having arm or shoulder problems???

  18. rustystaubsillegitmateson says:

    i can’t believe it the junior ortiz clone homered!!!

  19. metsfansince1992 says:

    Wow, a homer with someone on base! Nice Casanova.

  20. khmustache says:

    smoltz looks like poop today

  21. jose--jose-jose-jose says:

    Are they playing Jewish dance music during the Braves conference at the mound?

    …god, I really miss the “Network” guy.

  22. rustystaubsillegitmateson says:

    and the figmeister got a hit i love this guy – almost creid with his first win on his return to baseball

  23. zen says:

    2 of 3 from the phils twice. looking to take 2 of 3 from braves after a tough early series against them. then again, anyone can beat hudson and smoltz…they’re 5th starters.

    mets have no heart! fire willie!

    • rustystaubsillegitmateson says:

      zen since when did u become gipper or fmm :)

      • zen says:

        a poster commented yesterday that the bad part of the mets loss was that willie would extend his time as manager.

        which fan wants them to lose? lol.

  24. twassel says:

    Two on. Come on, Slappy McSingleton!

  25. metsfansince1992 says:

    Lets get this game out of reach…

  26. rustystaubsillegitmateson says:

    the slapmeister the slaparooney

  27. rustystaubsillegitmateson says:

    come on david !!!!! trade him for xavier nady :}

  28. jose--jose-jose-jose says:

    Damn…. If Beltran was having the kinda day that Wright is having people would not shut up about how “un-clutch” he is. Take note of this you guys, it happens to everyone.

    Oh, and one more thing, I HATE THESE DEREK JETER COMMERCIALS!!!!!!!!!!!

    • khmustache says:

      at least you’re watching the ny feed. all i’ve got is the atl feed so that means i get to see a tom glavine highlight reel every commercial break…man i hate that guy

  29. metsfansince1992 says:

    Smoltz owns Wrigt. He just can’t handle his slider.

  30. rustystaubsillegitmateson says:

    derek jeter endorses fords drives mercedes lol

  31. Who do you think has more pitches, Figgy or El Duque? They both look like they just invent pitches out there.

  32. metsfan119 says:

    I don’t care who comes back, right now, Figueroa is the Mets second best pitcher, he can’t leave the starting staff. Send Pelfrey down.

    • I like the rotation right now..even w/Big Pelf…hes progressing he will be having a bad outing every few starts but he is gettin better…we need to space the Lefties apart though …Johan,Ollie,Maine,Pelf,Figgy…L L RRR..not good

  33. rustystaubsillegitmateson says:

    kh u live in atl?? my condolences

    • khmustache says:

      boston actually…but dircttv doesn’t carry cw11…thank you for the concern though

    • andyglass1 says:

      take it you’ve never been there.

      • rustystaubsillegitmateson says:

        atl i have its a nice place just wouldn’t want to be a mets fan and live there – more of a new orleans , pheonix kinda guy

        • andyglass1 says:

          gottcha; i heard n.orl’s (before the disaster) was a dump. its not so bad being a Mets fan in ATL – there’s more than you might expect… the town is incredibly blase when it comes to sports. during their stretch of greatness, the stadium was often half empty… i remember playoff games not selling out

  34. rustystaubsillegitmateson says:

    ahh ok i love worchester played the palladium there a couple years back with the band i owrk for – u got problems with being a mets fan in boston?

  35. rustystaubsillegitmateson says:

    my heart always palpatates when frac is up

  36. ccmetfan says:

    Delgado with a HR!!!!!!!!

  37. zen says:

    del got it!

  38. gomets6091 says:

    I love Figgy. Even if he ends up getting lit up and only pitches a few more games for the big squad, his story has been by far the most enjoyable part of this season so far.

    btw….go Carlos! We never doubted you for a second (wink wink)

  39. jose--jose-jose-jose says:

    Thank God, Carlos. Nice shot.

  40. Prismo says:

    Am I dreaming?
    Did Delgado just….
    No, no he couldn’t have.

    He hit a home run?

  41. rustystaubsillegitmateson says:

    seranno goes yard!!

  42. gomets6091 says:

    wow, Casanova’s looking like Piazza out there. I like it.

  43. JR. says:

    Don’t Stop Believing was playing as he rounded the bases. classic

  44. rustystaubsillegitmateson says:

    any one think smoltz felt sorry for him and just grooved one

  45. blains2000 says:

    Hey, they have scored in more than one inning. Woo hoo!

  46. ccmetfan says:

    Did anyone notice how many times Delgado tapped his foot during that swing?

  47. blains2000 says:

    To Jobu I say f you, I do it myself!

    • rustystaubsillegitmateson says:

      just a little bit outside!! btw does that make marlon anderson willie mays hays? just askin

  48. rustystaubsillegitmateson says:

    carlos has ocd lol either that or he was doing his mr ed impersonation

  49. metsfansince1992 says:

    Casanova protecting Delgado…Delgado homers. Delgado protecting Church…Church homers. Church protecting Beltran…Beltran homers…and so on. I just hope to see that.

    • rustystaubsillegitmateson says:

      im just hoping to see keith hernandez get rid of that stupid haircut lol

  50. DaWrightStuff says:

    i genuinely felt happy for delgado… he really needed that

    • rustystaubsillegitmateson says:

      agreed like tug said “ya gotta believe!!” i love delgado – i just hope he has one more season in the tank (08)

    • blains2000 says:

      You know with Delgado my expectations are so low now that I don’t even get mad when he doesn’t come through becuase I expect it. So when he does something good I’m happy instead of just saying, “Finally.”

      • rustystaubsillegitmateson says:

        yeah but u can’t just help to sigh and shake your head in bemusement because he was a monster in 06 his production couldn’t erode that rapidly could it?

        • blains2000 says:

          It’s actually scary how fast and far he fell off the table. In ‘05 and ‘06 he was feared by opposing pitchers. Now he is feared by his own fans.

  51. Did anyone hear the Atl announcers say “ball game” as the inning ended and they went to commercial?? lol…funny to hear them give up…….got a good chuckle.

    • khmustache says:

      these guys are killing me…the conversation about the look in smoltz’s eyes was retarded

      • rustystaubsillegitmateson says:

        did they get “lost in his eyes” lol sorry for the debbie gibson reference

  52. rustystaubsillegitmateson says:

    damn figenstein is was a great pick up – cheap and effective – id rather have him than colon or freddie garcia or losher

  53. metsfansince1992 says:

    The Braves imitating the Mets…leadoff double and no runs. I hope the Mets turn the page once and for all.

  54. rustystaubsillegitmateson says:

    s fever it catching metsfansince1992 lol

  55. rustystaubsillegitmateson says:

    mets that is

  56. khmustache says:

    slappy gets the slap!

  57. rustystaubsillegitmateson says:

    lets go castillio aka mike jorgensen!!!

  58. DoYouSeeInHD says:

    The Mets finally hit the ball, and of course Smoltz is on my fantasy team.

  59. metsfansince1992 says:

    Today was a great day to give Wright a day off…in fact he can sit down every time Smoltz pitches.

  60. jose--jose-jose-jose says:

    Derek Jeter Does Not Have An Edge!!! Jeez, Stop Playing These Commercials!

    • rustystaubsillegitmateson says:

      i don’t think derek has testicles

    • ABQMetsFan says:

      At least you get to watch the CW11 feed. I get to watch the Atlanta feed and these hillbillies don’t have a clue. Its not even in HD. I can barely tell who is pitching.

      • rustystaubsillegitmateson says:

        and where r u from my brother??

      • ABQMetsFan says:

        Transplanted New Yorker in New Mexico.

      • asimplemind says:

        at least you’re not blacked out. I’m in Nashville and we are claimed by both Cincy and Atlanta…it used to be that I could catch the games on TBS over the past few years, but unfortunately they have stopped broadcasting them so i have to wait for them to be on SportsSouth or Peachtree locally….

    • MudvilleNine says:

      Just answer the kids questions for him.

      Kid: “Are you sure you’re not a major leaguer?”
      Derek: “Yes, I’m sure.”

      Kid: “Are you sure you’re not a shortstop?”
      Derek: “Yes, I’m sure.”

  61. rustystaubsillegitmateson says:

    i see ruben is heating a robust .188 yeah he was the answer to 2b

  62. rustystaubsillegitmateson says:

    wow they think carlos is dangerous lol

  63. rustystaubsillegitmateson says:

    great minds think alike :)

  64. i dont get it…what happens when met starters hit the 6th inning? no matter how well they are pitching up to that point, they fall apart in the 6th

    • blains2000 says:

      You are so right. I don’t get it either. But this is why I don’t understand why it is Willie’s fault for using his bullpen. His starters need to go longer. Plus, look at the Braves this weekend. Pulling Hudson after 3 innings and 60 pitches?

  65. rustystaubsillegitmateson says:

    they suffer from glavine syndrome

  66. twassel says:

    Wheels? We don’t need no stinkin’ wheels!

  67. rustystaubsillegitmateson says:

    come on joey smith!!!

  68. wow lefties are hitting .625 against smith

  69. I think we want a one run lead against the braves..the braves are something like 0-8 in one run games this year.

  70. khmustache says:

    i hate watching the 6th inning these days

  71. rustystaubsillegitmateson says:

    why is my stomach all of a sudden churning?

  72. rustystaubsillegitmateson says:

    watching the mets top of the sixth is as painful as watching american idol!!

  73. ABQMetsFan says:

    Just about all mets starters are suffering from implosions in the 6th of Oliver-esque proportions.

  74. rustystaubsillegitmateson says:

    u da man endy !!! btw another quality game by the fig

  75. rustystaubsillegitmateson says:

    hey maybe thats why hopefully no other team will sign ollie lol

  76. rustystaubsillegitmateson says:

    all right luis way to get it out of the infeild !!!

  77. khmustache says:

    rbi!!! is david awake?

  78. ABQMetsFan says:

    Nice. Way to go the other way Dave!

  79. rustystaubsillegitmateson says:

    dunno im on gameday

  80. ABQMetsFan says:

    How close was that pick off to a balk? It looked like the pitcheer made his first move towards home.

  81. rustystaubsillegitmateson says:

    whos pitching for the mets now??

  82. rustystaubsillegitmateson says:

    ugh!!

  83. EdysFanatic says:

    Schowenweiss has to have one of the cheesiest moustaches I have ever seen. Looks like he has a caterpillar growing on his lip.

  84. khmustache says:

    wow! wow! wow! lastings milledge will never ever ever make that catch!

  85. EdysFanatic says:

    Church has become an instant fan favorite…he’s a GAMER!

    • darkstar73 says:

      wait, hold on, i thought he was a bland, discrimantory, borderline 4th outfielder who can’t hit lefties?

    • andyglass1 says:

      Shades of Shawn Green, darting across the entire OF. (LOL)
      Excellent catch !!!! why in the world did Carlos slide in the warning track ???? Is Ryan still in the game; – he looked banged up after the play.

  86. ABQMetsFan says:

    Hells yeah. I hope he’s not hurt now

  87. blains2000 says:

    Dinner for the OF is on Scho tonite!

  88. DaWrightStuff says:

    if and when pedro comes back, figgy will be our perfect long man. he’s good for or 5 innings, then get figured out from there on.

    • ABQMetsFan says:

      With figgy in the roster we will at least have a back up plan for when Pedro bites it again. Unlike the start of the season when Omar should have planned for a Pedro injury. You can’ t put all your eggs in one basket with Pedro IMO.

      • Innis_2_winnis says:

        Dawrighty: You raise a very interesting point re: Figs. Sure lookin’ like (at the very least) he’s making Sosa increasingly more expendable. I wonder what Nel’s ceiling is gonna be when all’s said and done. He keep showing me more and more each start…

  89. khmustache says:

    2 HOMERUNS FOR CARLOS DELGADO!!!!!! IT’S ALIVE!!!!!

  90. Wright88 says:

    Delgado getting some love, nice.

  91. BBmetsfreak36 says:

    release carlos my ass!

  92. Prismo says:

    Welcome back Carlos!!!!
    We believed in you! (well…a few of us did…maybe)

  93. rustystaubsillegitmateson says:

    carlos is da man!!!!!

  94. khmustache says:

    no curtain call…can’t say that i blame him

    • blains2000 says:

      Yeah, I agree with Ronnie that if the fans want it you should do it, but I can’t blame Carlos there.

    • CLYONS says:

      good for delgado no coming out for the curtain call..these hypocritcl fans dont deserve one

    • ABQMetsFan says:

      good for him.

    • Tina says:

      Absolutely. When he was in the dugout, don’t know if they were talking about a curtain call or not, but D Wright shook his head at Delgado. I think they might believe that the fans need a bit of schooling. As they do.

      • blains2000 says:

        I have been one of those fans who has been on him since last year. My wife is usually the only one to hear the boos in our house but still. Having said that I have no problem with Delgado not coming out.

  95. DaWrightStuff says:

    OMG!!!! the monster is out of the cage!!!

  96. rockets212 says:

    delgado is hittin .205!!! lets keep it above .200 for the rest of the year

  97. metsmets17 says:

    I will man-up and say i gave Delgado some grief; however, I am very happy 4 him. I’d rather have a great year with Carlos than without him.

    Can I say I blame him for not coming out for a curtain call? No, not really. I think him not coming out and getting killed by the fans puts everyone at even now. Perhaps next time he should come out and acknowledge the crowd.

    • Constnza81V2.0 says:

      If the fans also want to develop a relationship with a player, they can’t go out and boo him if he goes 0-4 with 2Ks tomorrow.

      I was at the game yesterday and the only people I booed were the numbnuts behind me who said Maine was going to give up “a thousand runs” after falling behind 2-0.

    • missmet82 says:

      Did you see David telling Carlos not to go out for the Curtain Call? I don’t blame either of them at all. Is it going to be a big deal in the papers and on radio shows now?? I hope not. I’m sick of the booing and I haven’t even been to any games yet. Too bad, Billy just gave up a hit. Let’s end it here…

  98. Constnza81V2.0 says:

    Mets fans have been awful this year. I don’t blame Carlos for quietly giving us a big ‘ole middle finger.

  99. rustystaubsillegitmateson says:

    i agree

  100. rustystaubsillegitmateson says:

    come on little petey!!

  101. rustystaubsillegitmateson says:

    whenour bullpen is on its dangerous!

  102. cousinrk says:

    Wow Imagine how far Delgado’s home runs would have gone if he wasn’t finished. Hmm…

    • rustystaubsillegitmateson says:

      cousin i hoped hed break out of this lets hope he has momentum now i was at the brewers game 2 saturdays ago and he almost homered

  103. rustystaubsillegitmateson says:

    btw anyone know what john stearns is up to these days??

  104. rustystaubsillegitmateson says:

    id love him to be the mets manager someday -he always had fire and no im not knocking willie i stand and fall by my manager

  105. CaliMetsFan says:

    Glad to see the idiots and whiners were at a minimum today. If Wagner can bring this home in the 9th, Mets took 2 of 3 against the Braves with Smoltz and Hudson on the mound (and no Santana).

    At least there will be no idiotic “Fire Willie” comments for another day.

    • rustystaubsillegitmateson says:

      yeah wheres fmm and gipper today lol to quote the awol points guy u get 5000 pointscali

  106. khmustache says:

    there goes the no hitter

  107. rustystaubsillegitmateson says:

    mets1717 i requested u as a friend on myspace my handle is eddieshortarms

  108. zen says:

    good for delgado. glad he didn’t come out the curtain call.

    he shouldn’t feel bad though. mets fans booed wright in april of last year and reyes at the end of the year. they even booed santana in his first shea start. pathetic.

  109. rustystaubsillegitmateson says:

    why did they bring in wagner? let him rest for a day – non save situation

  110. zen says:

    mets win 3rd series in a row against the braves and phils :)

  111. CaliMetsFan says:

    As long as the Mets take care of business against the Phils and Braves, I am really not worried. I could care less about where the Fish are right now. They will be a 75 win team max by the end of the season with their shoddy starting pitching.

    If Mets take care of business against the Suckos and take at least 2 of 3, then the Mets end up 15-12. Great – certainly not but with an NL East where every team has major issues it is just fine.

  112. rustystaubsillegitmateson says:

    and i be takin care of buisness every day taking care of buisness everyway!!

  113. metsmets17 says:

    Put that in your freakin books Larry!

  114. metsfansince1992 says:

    Finally a TOTAL game by the Mets. Nice pitching, run support, and great defense. Best game of the season thus far.

  115. khmustache says:

    great game…great couple of days

  116. rustystaubsillegitmateson says:

    i prefer another one bites the dust by queen shoot em down by twisted sister or aces high by iron maiden

  117. rustystaubsillegitmateson says:

    figgy is a keeper

  118. CaliMetsFan says:

    The only way I would even give the “Fire Willie” comments any kind of credibility is if this team had gotten out to a start like the Nats or Pirates and be 6 or 7 games below .500 at the end of April.

    • rustystaubsillegitmateson says:

      i agree cali but you know if this was gil or davey the fans would be the same way remember we ran davey out of here in 90

  119. Nightlife says:

    Wheres the 700 angry comments?

    Oh wait, the team won.

    • metsftw says:

      this team has the weirdest fans. i wouldn’t call them fairweather, since more show up when the team loses to call for omar’s/willie’s head.

    • rustystaubsillegitmateson says:

      rotfl

  120. metsftw says:

    so we’ve taken 4 of 6 from the phils and just took 2 of 3 from the braves, beating both hudson and smoltz. why are people complaining again? we’re 13-11 without our starting LF without any production (until today–go carlos!) from the 1B position.

  121. grotesmask says:

    DEL-GA-DO!

    Curtain call?! The A-Holes who’;ve been turning up at Shea to boo our guys should earn back D-G’s respect.

    Go Met’s or Go The F- Home! Start supporting your team even when they stink, even when they fail…they’re our Mets.

    Let’s see if this series win doesn’t really start to get us rolling.

  122. cousinrk says:

    Great bounce back, after losing against Wash and then game one and facing Hudson and Smoltz, for them to take 2 of 3 was a really good sign. For a team that’s been called soft a lot, that’s a really good weekend.

    As for Delgado, he’s shown warning track power at best this year, and for him to hit two bombs, one the opposite way is a great sign. Good day today