Pre Game: Mets vs. Brewers (Game 3)
Update, 12:17 pm:
In a post to Twitter, the Star-Ledger’s Brian Costa writes:
“Two hours before first pitch, and the Mets clubhouse is empty… and as i typed that, everyone just walked in off the bus.”
To follow Costa on Twitter, click here.
Original Post:
Yesterday, Jerry Manuel told reporters David Wright and Gary Sheffield would not start in today’s game at 2:05 EST against Yovani Gallardo and the Brewers.
However, Manuel wisely changed his mind, as Wright will start at third base today and bat third.
Sheffield will still get the day off.
Alex Cora will leadoff, followed in order by Luis Castillo, Wright, Ryan Church, Nick Evans in left field, Daniel Murphy at first base, Fernando Martinez in center and Brian Schneider behind the plate.
In his last three games, the 20–year-old Martinez has four hits, including a double and a home run, and two RBI.
Mike Pelfrey (5–3, 4.67 ERA) will start for the Mets. Pelfrey has allowed just 25 home runs since 2006, which is the fewest in the major leagues among pitchers with 60 starts. Opponents are batting just .201 against him when he gets a first-pitch strike, otherwise they’re batting .361. Pelfrey last faced the Brewers in 2007, when he allowed four runs and eight hits in five innings.
The Mets are 19–12 in games when they do not allow a home run.
Gallardo (8–4, 2.99 ERA) will start for the Brewers. He has 102 strikeouts in 97 innings this season, during which opponents are batting .193 against him. Gallardo allowed no runs and five hits in six innings against the Mets in Citi Field during April.
