July 16: Afternoon Mets Links and Open Thread

Star-Ledger – Jerry Manuel wants to keep Josh Thole on the roster as R.A. Dickey’s personal catcher and backup first baseman, (or not?).

Daily News – Andy Martino indicates Oliver Perez could face the Dodgers next Saturday. Oh boy.

Mets Minor League Blog – The Brooklyn Cyclones won again last night, to go two games up on the second-place Staten Island Yankees. Sources tell me Fred Wilpon was in attendance. Interesting…

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

And here is Carlos Beltran discussing his first game back:

TONIGHT’S GAME

The Mets try to bounce back against the Giants, as Jon Niese (6-3, 3.61)  faces Barry Zito (7-4, 3.76). For what it’s worth, the Mets and Giants are tied for third place in the wild card standings, along with St. Louis. All three teams have a record of 48-41, putting them 1.5 games behind Colorado and one game behind the Dodgers.

First pitch at 10:35pm.