July 1: Afternoon Mets Links and Open Thread

MetsToday – Chase Utley needs surgery on his thumb. That might change the Phillies’ plan to pursue Dan Haren.

OnTheBlack – Kerel Cooper breaks down the impact of Stephen Strasburg on ticket sales.

ESPN New York – A preview of the upcoming series with Washington. Is Adam Dunn really just Will Ferrell on steroids? Nobody really knows.

Long Live Shea Stadium – A scouting report on tonight’s opposing pitcher, Livan Hernandez.

TONIGHT’S GAME

The Mets (44-34) travel to Washington to take on the Nationals (34-45) tonight. Johan Santana (5-5, 3.55) will try to throw some non-tipped pitches against Livan Hernandez (6-4, 3.10). First pitch is at 7:05pm.

Here’s the Mets lineup – Jose Reyes is still out with a stiff something-or-other and Jason Bay is inexplicably resting and Angel Pagan is still not back, despite reports that he would be playing tonight. If Santana isn’t back to his old self, this could be ugly.

Feliciano CF
Tejada SS
Wright 3B
Francoeur RF
Carter LF
Blanco C
Santana P