Note: The Mets have Two Platoons
Prior to today’s game, Jerry Manuel told reporters that he will begin using Ryan Church every day in right field, meaning Daniel Murphy, Fernando Tatis and Nick Evans will split time in left.
Tonight, Tatis will start in left field, instead of Evans, against LHP Jaime Moyer, because, according to Manuel, Tatis is better suited to face the ‘crafty,’ veteran.
…in other words, while murphy will most certainly play every day against right-handed pitchers, against whom he is batting .321, manuel will consider the night’s left-handed starting pitcher when debating evans, who is batting .340 against lefties, and tatis, who is batting .316 against lefties…
…jeez, jerry, that’s a lot to keep track of…
Also, Damion Easley will start at second base tonight, instead of Luis Castillo, suggesting they, too, are in a lefty-righty platoon.
For what it’s worth, Castillo is hitting .268 against right-handed pitching, compared to .227 against lefties, while Easley is batting .271 against left-handed pitching and .257 against righties.
…Update…
Later, during his nightly interview during WFAN’s pre-game show, Manuel said, of the 30 games that are left, Castillo will start ‘the bulk’ of them.
According to Manuel, Castillo is simply getting tonight ‘off.’
