The Mets (37–34) begin a three-game series with the Yankees (40–32) tonight in Citi Field.
Ryan Church will start in center field today, with Gary Sheffield returning to the lineup as well.
Luis Castillo will bat leadoff, followed in order by Alex Cora at second, David Wright, Sheffield in left, Fernando Tatis in right field, Church, Nick Evans at first base and Omir Santos behind the plate.
Mike Pelfrey (5–2, 4.74 ERA) will start for the Mets. Last season, Pelfrey pitched five innings against the Yankees and allowed eight hits and four runs. Opponents are batting just .193 against Pelfrey when he throws a first-pitch strike, but .387 when he falls behind.
CC Sabathia (6–4, 3.71 ERA) will start for the Yankees. He left his last start, against the Marlins, in the second inning with with a sore left bicep. He is 5–1 in his last nine starts.
The Mets are a major-league best 17–7 in the first game of a series this season, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
Update, 4:17 pm:
“Mets infielders and pitchers out early for fielding drills,” writes the Star-Ledger’s Brian Costa, in a post to Twitter. “Just like spring training.”
Update, 4:20 pm:
Alex Cora and David Wright were guests today of Mike Francesa on WFAN, which you can listen to here.
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Comments are off below, but there is a problem with the trivia question. I had seven names, and was trying to figure out the trick to the question, how to get it to six. The six listed and Tony Tarasco. Tarasco had a hit for the Yankees on June 4, 1999 and for the Mets on June 14, 2002. I was contemplating sending in all seven but thought it would disqualify me. If you are going to create a trivia question, how about some accuracy.
You had those dates memorized? I’m impressed.
Of course I looked it up, but I had the seven names.
Here’s a similar trivia question: Name the three players to hit two home runs in a game for the Mets.
I’m sure Sabathia has everything to do with this. Honestly though, is Murphy that much worse an option here than Tatis. Left handed or not, I’d rather have Murphhy’s bat speed.
Normally, I wouldn’t like the idea of using Church in CF in a game where defense and runs will likely be at a premium, but given that Pelf generates groundballs, this is a good way to improve the offense without killing your OF defense.
very important outing for Pelf. At least much of the pen is rested and ready to go, but it will hurt if Pelf goes short, since Redding is pitching tomorrow and that could be ugly.
Why no love for Redding? His last 2 starts at home have been very good agst two pretty good hitting teams, the Phils and the Cards.
Redding has mixed in some adequate performances in with some stinkers, but is allowing 4 ER really a good outing to you? It got a W without being a quality start. He’s been a serviceable 5th starter, that is all.
He will be needed to back up Perez he actually gets back on the mound for the Mets. At least they can have a quick hook with Redding in the pen.
Tatis needs to ride the pine period! WHat is Jerry’s fasination with batting the DP champion in the 5 hole? I don’t get it???……..but then again neither does Jerry.
I’m with you on Tatis riding the pine. CC might eat up Reed or FMart but at least they bring a defensive presence that can help them contribute. Right now Tatis is not hitting and while servicable in the OF is not the defender Reed or Martinez are
I’d put Cora up first so that Luis could at least contribute by bunting him over. If Pelfry has to bunt someone over then it’s up to Castillo to knock ‘em in? I know he’s better right handed than left-handed but aside from infield hits he’s not done much lately (I know, one long hit a few days ago). I hope that Tatis finds a way to shorten his swing to make more natural contact; he’s been looking absolutely horrible at the plate and everyone seems to know what the problem is but he does nothing to correct it–go back to his natural shorter stroke and stop trying to hit a homer each time up.
So much for Murphy.
Is it impossible for Evans to displace someone else, like one of our underachieving outfielders?
Seeing as Cora and Church are the only lefties my guess is Murph is sitting along with Reed and Martinez due to the lefty on the mound
Ok..so my intial reaction was anger because Murph was not in the lineup but then remember that Sabathia was pitching and I said, ok I understand.
With that said, Jerry should have known Murphy would not start today and get him multiple starts the past few days.
Everyday I move more and more to the “Jerry is an id!0T” side.
Don’t we all!
Not I. A half game out of first, fielding a AAA line-up. Gotta cut him some slack.
Eddie C. says Maine will not throw in BK tomorrow. Here we go….
Anyone else reminded of the softball episode of The Simpsons? Mr. Burns uses Homer to pinch hit for Darryl Strawberry, reasoning that the pitcher is left-handed and Homer is a righty. “It’s called ‘playing the percentages’” he says. Well, good luck C. Montgomery Manuel.
Nice Simpsons reference, perfectgame! Well done.
I’ve been just as frustrated as everyone with Tatis’ struggles. I used to call him Big Tati, but no more. BUT, he has been showing some signs of improvement the last few games, and I can understand Jerry putting him in the lineup today. But why batting 5th in front of Church??
Church has been hitting the ball better (except for when he is ahead 3-0 with the bases loaded. Yikes.) and seems to thrive when he bats higher in the order, plus the 4,5,6 hitters bat R,R,L. Why not put Church in the middle to make Girardi make some tougher decisions late in the game? I don’t get it.
Tatis will not hit into a DP not once, not twice, but thrice!
But skip, I have 9 Homeruns today
Tonight, 9th inning.
Mets trail by 3.
2 out.
Bases loaded.
Sheff strolls to the plate and does a perfect Gibson!
Drags his dead leg around the bases!
METS WIN!
THE METS WIN!
PUT IT IN THE BOOKS!
I would laugh
I think Jerry is basically giving Tatis one last long look, where Tatis has to start producing with his chance to find a rhythm. Once Pagan comes back, which could be soon, who’s going down? The way Pagan has been hitting, he’s a definite improvement over Tatis, so I would think Tatis has to start getting it done.
Meanwhile, with Pelf on the mound, makes sense to go with a weaker outfield lineup defensively, let’s just hope Pelf keeps the ball down so it doesn’t backfire.
I used to get torqued up over Willie/Jerry continually going with a flop (pitcher or pos player), but then it became clear that they were auditioning that player for his upcoming release/demotion. Sort of a “look, Omar, he’s terrible” showcasing.
Not sure if Tatis is bad enough to be DFAed, tho—the state of the roster makes me think that his “veteran presence” or his “ability to succeed as a part-time player” will help him through this immunity challenge. Ugh.
F-mart would most certainly go down when Pagan comes back.
does pelfrey throw anything other than a sinker?
Pelf is getting rocked he’s gotta get the ball dow if he’sgoing to keep missing over the plate.
Game over at least I can go out without having to check the score. Never do a confidence rating after a series win
Watching your team make stupid errors destroys any confidence there is. 6 on a 1-10 seems generous. Just seeing the Yankees reminds me of Luis Castillo. All I can say is thank god the Phillies are ice cold. It won’t shock me if the Marlins are in a first place tie at the end of the day.
SO ……..all the extra infield practice prior to the game worked out great right!!!!! lol SOmebody get me a beer!
wow your actually thinking the game is over in the 2nd inning…
yes I do
why does this team always find a way to implode?
I still haven’t seen enough in pelf that tells me he’s better than just an average pitcher
Yeah, so those early fielding drills for the infielders didn’t seem to help much…
On the bright side Torontois leading Philly 4-0
mets r getting shutout
LGM,LGM,LGM
looks like Pelf is settling in.
I have a bad feeling CC Sabathia is going to throw a perfect game or no hitter against us. I think it’d be in everyone’s best interests if Ralph Kiner gets in the booth now! lol
There ya go no perfect game.
I guess I played Ralph Kiner’s role tonight
You got to be kidding me! PInch hit forPelf when he’s settled in with Argenis REyes of all people???? You might as welllet pelf hit!
I don’t agree with Argenis Reyes pinch hitting there. They should have used Murphy. Isn’t that Argenis’ weak side? Now they don’t have a back up middle IF which you know is always a liability with Castillo and Cora. Unless you count Tatis.
Every side is Argenis’s weak side!
Like I said you moight as well let Pelf hit, Pelf out rally dead! Jerry sucks!
I agree with taking out Pelfrey. I forgot what his pitch count was, but he had that typical one horrible inning again. He might have gone an extra inning and started the 7th. Our bullpen has gotten more rest lately though.
Pelf had shut them down the last two innings with maybe fifteen pitches total for the two inning, he was in a groove!
This again is why you should never start Sheffield and Tatis in the same freaking game without a Rh bat on the bench (a real one I mean) Argenis REyes really??????? UNbelievable!
Keep the faith, Baby!
We have lots of baseball left.
Mets will beat those darn Yankees tonight and it will be Sheff, the Hero and ARod, the goat.
Stay tuned.
Lets Go Mets!
Anybody know what the on field delay was?
There was a delay while the mound was worked on because Sabathia and Pelfey’s landing spots were close together and getting deep.
Jerry Manuel never ceases to amaze…
using both Parnell and Green to get the last four outs when the score is 7-1 is at the lease rather curious. Wouldn’t want to double switch Tatis out of the game or anything…
Not to mention that the Yankees are lefty heavy… so where is Mr. Switzer then? Oh, Omar?
furthermore if you are going to use Sean Green then why not use him when the score is 4-1 rather than Dessens? Use Dessens as the mop up man later…
Not a good day for the NL east!
This is getting old, Jerry Manuel will manage the Mets out of contention.
As “curious” as Jerry’s moves were today, he didnt lose today. The mets werent going to win this game. I will say, I have no idea why Elmer Fudd was in the game in a still close game and then you use Green and Parnell anyway. But like I said, that was not the difference in the game.
Well…the good thing is, the NL east sucked today! Which means we lose no ground. hee hee.
Lets get them tomorrow. Better def and better pitching. Oh wait…..Redding is pitching tomorrow. Due for a true stinker and Burnett will look like Cy Young. Look for another lopsided loss.
At least we have Sunday. Oh wait, Its Livan soft throwing self. Let me guess…6 runs in 6 innings? Yeah thats about right. Hopefully we score 4 runs to make it look like it will be close. smile
Easy sweep for the Yankees. Our only hope was today with Pelfrey and we blew it. No chance we win either othe next 2 games
Lets hope Phillies get swept so at least when the yankee fans give it to us, it wont be so bad.
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