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Stat: First time through the lineup

by Ted Berg on August 19th, 2008 at 2:43 pm

Because everyone hasn’t heard enough about the Mets’ bullpen already, I posted a column last night on SNY.tv about, among other things, the discussion of moving a starter into a relief role.

Anyway, I checked out the Mets starter’s stats in their first time through the lineup and thought they were pretty interesting. Not surprisingly, Johan Santana is the best in his first matchups with opposing hitters, holding them to a .216 BA with a .263 OBP and a .309 SLG. After Santana, the starters rank:

Billy Wagner has a .185 / .228 / .289 line in his first (and only) time facing opposing hitters in a game, but no other Mets reliever has a line better than Maine, Perez or Pelfrey in the situation.

Not to say, naturally, that converting any of the three to the bullpen would be an instant fix, especially since the Mets will then have to replace that pitcher in the rotation. I just thought the numbers were interesting. To read my take on them, check out the column.