Series Preview: Mets vs. Rays
Imagine the Mets are Mr. Worf, and their June opponents are the guys with the pain sticks.
The Mets continue their journey through the gauntlet that is their June schedule with a 3-game set against the Tampa Bay Rays in St. Pete.
They are 4-6 so far this month against opponents like the World Champion Cardinals, the first place Nationals, and the always formidable Yankees. Those 6 losses have come in their last 7 games. Now they have to play another AL East powerhouse on the road. It’s as if the Mets are going through some kind of rite of passage. How they stand up over the next couple of weeks will tell us more about this team.
This series features a couple of marquis pitching matchups. On Wednesday, red-hot R.A. Dickey faces off against the nasty left-hander, David Price. On Thursday, Johan Santana takes on Jeremy Hellickson, who’s having a great year.
New York Mets
After getting swept out of the Bronx, the Mets are now in 3rd place in the NL East, 5 games behind Washington.
Who’s Hot (Last 10 games):
- David Wright – .306, 3 HR, 4 RBI
- Lucas Duda – .286, 3 HR, 10 RBI
- R.A. Dickey – 24.2 consecutive scoreless innings, 3 walks and 38 strikeouts over his last 4 starts
- Daniel Murphy – .205, 0 HR, 4 RBI
- Ike Davis – .148, 0 HR, 1 RBI
- Jon Rauch – 5 ER, 10 hits in his last 5.2 innings pitched
Tampa Bay Rays
The Rays are coming off a sweep of the Amazing Technicolor Marlins, and have won their last 4 overall. They currently reside in a first place tie with the Bombers in the AL East.
Who’s Hot (Last 10 games)
- David Price – 2 wins, 0.73 ERA, 13 strikeouts in his last 12.1 innings pitched
- Elliot Johnson – .321, 1 HR, 7 RBI
- Ben Zobrist – .290, 2 HR, 6 RBI
- Carlos Pena – .172, 1 HR, 4 RBI
- Sean Rodriguez – .133, 1RBI
- J.P. Howell – 6 ER in his last 6.2 innings pitched
Pitching Matchups
Tues, June 12, 7:10 PM: Chris Young (0-0, 3.60 ERA) vs. Alex Cobb (2-2, 4.13 ERA)
Wed, June 13, 7:10 PM: R.A. Dickey (9-1, 2.44 ERA) vs. David Price (8-3, 2.40 ERA)
Thurs, June 14 1:10 PM: Johan Santana (3-3, 2.96 ERA) vs. Jeremy Hellickson (4-2, 2.65)
If Vlad hits well and the Mets fade they could move him at the deadline. If he hits well and the Mets remain in contention his power bat could really give them a boost down the stretch. He’s certainly far from the ideal solution but he wouldn’t cost much and if still has something left he could definitely be the slugger the team currently lacks.
1) Presumably we’d have to give the Jays something to get Vlad.
2) After moving up from A ball to AAA, Vlad’s hitting .214/.233/.286 in 30 ABs.