Today’s Mets Lineup vs. Phillies

Here is the lineup being sent to the plate against Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels:

Angel Pagan – CF
Justin Turner – 2B
Scott Hairston – RF
Daniel Murphy – 3B
Jason Bay – LF
Ronny Paulino – C
Nick Evans – 1B
Ruben Tejada – SS
Jonathon Niese – P

Carlos Beltran is out with flu-like symptoms, so that’s why Hairston is in right field. However that doesn’t explain why Hairston is batting third. The reason he’s there is because in his career, he’s killed Hamels — to the tune of a 1.389 OPS, with 3 HR in 17 ABs. Granted, it’s a small sample size, but what does Terry Collins have to lose? If the Mets lose this game — and tomorrow’s — their “playoff push” is pretty much over.

On another note, nice to see Nick Evans getting a start. I’d really, really like to see him get a few starts a week, get into a groove, and see what happens. Who knows, that may happen after a few more players are dealt away.

I’m liking the Mets’ chances in this game. First, Hamels struggled a bit heading into the break. Second, several Mets in the lineup have good history against him. Again, small sample sizes, but Hairston, Murphy, Turner, Evans, Bay, and Paulino all are hitting .333 or above against Hamels, and Pagan has a .290 AVG against him.