Pepsi Refresh Pre-Game: Mets at Phillies
The Mets (62-78) begin a three-game series with the Phillies (79-59) at 7 pm tonight in Citizen’s Bank Park.
The Mets will wear the red Welcome Home Veterans caps tonight in memory of September 11 – the Yankees will do the same.
Nelson Figueroa (2-4, 4.74 ERA) will start for the Mets. Figueroa has a 3.00 ERA in the his last three starts, while 
striking out 20 batters in 18 innings.
Cole Hamels (8–9, 4.32 ERA) will start for the Phillies. Hamels is 0-1 with a 7.20 ERA in two starts against the Mets this season. He has not defeated the Mets since 2006.
Angel Pagan will bat leadoff and start in center field, followed in order by Luis Castillo, David Wright, Jeff Francoeur, Fernando Tatis at first base, Nick Evans in left field, Omir Santos behind the plate, Wilson Valdez at shortstop and Figueroa on the mound.
…back-to-back nights off for Carlos Beltran and Daniel Murphy… i’m thinking beltran is off because of the wet weather, slippery grass, etc., while murphy sits against the left-handed hamels…
…given the standings, i don’t understand why murphy isn’t playing every day… i mean, he’s part of the future… i’m sure tatis is a nice guy… but, i think a handshake and his paycheck should be more than sufficient at this point… when i’m trying to figure out if murphy should be the starting first baseman next season, or whether to trade or sign someone better, whether or not tatis got a hit and felt good about himself tonight is not going to matter…
The weather is quite wet in Philadelphia, but, according to Newsday’s David Lennon on Twitter, “The Phillies have told the Mets they anticipate playing tonight.”
…good, because i anticipate watching…
To follow Lennon on Twitter, click here.
By the way, to watch my hit from last night’s Pre Game Live on SNY, during which I talk about Murphy, as well as yesterday’s brand-indentity exercise, use the video player to the right.
