This afternoon the Mets face Justin Verlander, who will have 8 fielders from the Detroit Tigers standing around him and a DH from that same team hitting for him. The Mets will send this lineup to face the King and His Court:

Jose Reyes – SS
Jason Pridie – RF
Carlos Beltran – DH
Daniel Murphy – 3B
Angel Pagan – CF
Jason Bay – LF
Lucas Duda – 1B
Josh Thole – C
Ruben Tejada – 2B

If you are wondering why Pridie is starting in RF and batting second, it is because Justin Verlander has NEVER retired Pridie (though, he’s never faced him, either). Additionally, Willie Harris has returned to NY to tend to his wife, who is 5 months pregnant and going into labor. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Willie, his wife, and the baby.

What do you think — is Lucas Duda going to go ape on Verlander? If so, the confidence boost could transform Duda into a legitimate monster going forward.

Mets 16 Tigers 9

Thanks goodness for the Mets’ special teams and dominance by the defensive line, or this game might’ve gotten away.

Here is the lineup Terry Collins will send to the plate against Tigers lefthanded pitcher Phil Coke:

The Mets have scored 14 runs in a game twice in three days, they’re finally over the magical .500 mark, Jose Reyes is having a historical year, Carlos Beltran is his old self, the starting pitching has been spectacular, and now even Jason Bay is getting into the act. The Mets are running on all cylinders, winning like a habit, and they’re doing it WITHOUT David Wright, Ike Davis, and Johan Santana.

So why am I still pessimistic about the team’s chances for a postseason run?

Mets 14 Tigers 3

Finally, the Mets break the Flushing 500, and do it with a flourish.

Here is the lineup the Mets will send to the plate against Tigers righthander Rick Porcello:

With the Mets in Tigertown, and most of us Flushing fans unfamiliar with the teams playing in the Adulterated League (the one still experimenting with the designated pinch-hitter), I’ve called on fellow SweetSpot blogger and longtime internet friend Mike McClary of The Daily Fungo to answer a few random questions about his beloved Detroit Tigers.

My questions are in bold, his answers in the blue boxes.

1. The Tigers are a healthy 7 games over .500 but have a slim lead over the
surprising, but recently fading, Indians. Is Cleveland your main concern or
are you worried about the rising White Sox?

My guess is that if you ask most Tigers fans they’re just waiting for

In many ways, this 2011 season is reminding me of 2005 — though, in reverse.