7/24-7/26: Mets @ Houston Astros

[ljshorty89]

Pitching Matchups:

Game 1: Johan Santana (11-7, 2.92) vs Mike Hampton (5-7, 4.63)
Game 2: Jon Niese (0-0, 5.91) vs Russ Ortiz (3-4, 4.33)
Game 3: Livan Hernandez (6-5, 4.93) vs Brian Moehler (7-5, 4.92)

[DirtyKash]

Over/under on the number of runs that the Mets score in the series? I'll put it at 6.5.

[ljshorty89]

I'll take the over, DK!

Over/Under on runs the Mets STARTING PITCHERS allow: 10

[Kingdom]

I'd take the over on runs scored too, they're dodging Oz and Wandy.

1-2, if they don't win the Santana, it's a sweep for Hou.

[ljshorty89]

I'd take the over on runs scored too, they're dodging Oz and Wandy.

1-2, if they don't win the Santana, it's a sweep for Hou.

Moehler, Ortiz, and Hampton don't scare me. If we can score a couple runs, I can see us winning 2 games.

KOZ: Check the PM i sent and get back to me...

[ljshorty89]

Here's the Mets lineup for Friday's series opener in Houston. No Gary Sheffield or Alex Cora.


Pagan, cf
Castillo, 2b
Wright, 3b
Francoeur, rf
Tatis, lf
Murphy, 1b
Santos, c
Berroa, ss
Santana, lhp


Yet again, Gary Sheffield will not be in tonight’s starting lineup, as he continues to rest with a cramp in his hamstring.



Meanwhile, Alex Cora will again be out the lineup, as he re-aggrevated his injured thumb ealier this week.

I don't understand why they won't just give up on this year, place these two guys on the DL, make sure they don't hurt themselves worse, and bring up some youngsters and hope they show something. What benefit is there to risking injury to a 60% Alex Cora, as opposed to giving a 22 year old SS from AAA or AA a shot?

[ljshorty89]

Also, my 2 cents:

Umm, if I were making a lineup out of those 9 players, it would be this:

Pagan
Castillo
Santana
Wright
Francouer
Murphy
Tatis
Santos
Berroa

I mean, I'm not even sure I'm kidding anymore. Tatis, Berroa, and (for now) Santos are automatic outs. Murphy is struggling. Francouer is not an OBP guy. So, why not bat Johan 3rd? He could probably put some good swings on the ball....

[DirtyKash]

Mets now need to win the last 2.

[Kingdom]

Moehler, Ortiz, and Hampton don't scare me. If we can score a couple runs, I can see us winning 2 games.

KOZ: Check the PM i sent and get back to me...

Ball is in your court now.


Russ Ortiz hasn't scared anyone since the early part of this decade

[ljshorty89]

Excellent outing for Jon Niese, returning from AAA. He went 7 innings, allowing only 1 run, on 4 hits and 2 BB, 3 K. Once given a large lead, Niese didn't nibble, he attacked the Astro lineup, and seemed to be very effective with his fastball, as well as his curve.