Lefty day at (not) Shea: Padres at Mets IGT, 8/18/26

[Frayed Knot]

Recently acquired Robbie Ray faces Zac Thornton in a battle of southern paws.

This will the third start as a Padre for the 34 y/o, 13 year veteran Ray, although his first two weren't all that impressive: a 4 R, 7 H, 5 BB in 5 innings 'L' vs HOU; followed by 2 R/2 H/3 BB in just 4 frames vs MIL (ND). But overall this year he's a decent 10 - 7, 3.28, 1.33 on the year even while leading the majors in walks with 65 [in 132 IP (4.4/9)]

In other Padre news, the sale of the club was approved by MLB on Monday to duo of Jose E. Feliciano* and Kwanza Jones. Feliciano, who will be the designated control person, and Jones are a married couple. He is the co-founder and managing partner of Clearlake Capital Group and together they run various philanthropic endeavors. The team has been owned by the Seidler family since 2010 until the death of managing partner Peter Seidler in late 2023 led to the decision to sell.

And, btw, Mets now need to go 24 - 12 to finish the season at .500  Still a tough hill to climb but, for the first time, it suddenly seems possible. And, yes (before anyone brings it up) I think it's a goal worth pursuing. I never bought into the whole 'all this winning is bad' argument.

 

*  maybe he'll sing the national anthem on a regular basis

[Edgy MD]

Mets undefeated since calling up Christopher Morel.

[Centerfield]

Big start for Thornton. Has given up 3 runs in 3 of his last 4. 

[Brock Beauchamp]

	THU	FRI	SAT	SUN	MON	TOT
Nate Lavender	0	3	0	7	2	12
Kodai Senga	0	14	0	11	0	25
Jonathan Pintaro	0	24	0	0	14	38
Jefry Yan	0	0	22	0	0	22
Jack Weisenburger	0	0	0	0	0	0
Dedniel Núñez	0	0	11	0	0	11
Daniel Duarte	0	17	0	11	14	42
Chayce McDermott	0	0	0	0	0	0

 

[Frayed Knot]

I like that they got 9 outs out of those 14 + 14 + 2 pitches from three relievers last night.

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

Tuesday Night Mets up in 513 tonight. 

That fact shouldn't fill you with optimism as the Mets have ben shit on Tuesdays this year.

[Gwreck]

13 hours ago, Frayed Knot said:

And, btw, Mets now need to go 24 - 12 to finish the season at .500  Still a tough hill to climb but, for the first time, it suddenly seems possible. And, yes (before anyone brings it up) I think it's a goal worth pursuing. I never bought into the whole 'all this winning is bad' argument.

24 of the next 30 games are against teams that would be in the playoffs if the season ended today.  It will be a tall task.

[Centerfield]

I think I read that the Mets had the hardest post-All-Star schedule of anyone in baseball.  It's astonishing to think how poorly they played earlier this year against some of the worst competition.

In April, they were swept at home by the A's and Rockies.  

[Edgy MD]

If they took half of those games, they'd be tied with the Nats for fourth, and seven games behind the last WC spot.

But hey, all we've got is the time we've got, and we've got the hottest team in the majors.  Let us make what we can of that.

[seawolf17]

EXACTLY. Let's just fuckin' win 'em all, fellas. Make 'em keep us out.

[Edgy MD]

The Padres, as usual, are delaying the posting of their lineup until after evening vespers (update: full lineups now posted below), but today will be the Mets' Morel Awakening!

He's packed his glove, too!

Chuckmonkey

Robbie Ray (LHP), 10-7, 3.28 ERA, 113 SO

Lineup

1. Fernando Tatis Jr. (R) RF
2. Luis Rengifo (S) LF
3. Manny Machado (R) 3B
4. Ty France (R) 1B
5. Jackson Merrill (L) CF
6. Xander Bogaerts (R) SS
7. Austin Hays (R) DH
8. Freddy Fermin (R) C
9. Jake Cronenworth (L) 2B

Firemarmet

Zac Thornton (LHP), 3-3, 2.78 ERA, 29 SO

Lineup

1. Francisco Lindor (S) SS
2. Bo Bichette (R) 3B
3. Luis Robert Jr. (R) CF
4. Carson Benge (L) RF
5. Francisco Alvarez (R) DH
6. Christopher Morel (R) 1B
7. Marcus Semien (R) 2B
8. A.J. Ewing (L) LF
9. Luis Torrens (R) C

[Frayed Knot]

3 hours ago, Gwreck said:

24 of the next 30 games are against teams that would be in the playoffs if the season ended today.  It will be a tall task.

Which is why it would be really cool if they pull it off.

[Edgy MD]

Interesting lineup kerjiggering around the lefty, with Luis Robert bumped up to fourth and AJ Ewing dropped all the way down to eighth.

[seawolf17]

brb gonna go log into draftkings and throw some coin on morel sending one to the moon tonight

[MFS62]

39 minutes ago, Frayed Knot said:

Which is why it would be really cool WHEN they pull it off.

Fixed that for ya'.

 

Benge has 49 RBI. I wonder if there is any other player regularly batting cleanup with fewer than that. It really paints a picture of terrible offense.

Later

 

[Edgy MD]

He isn't regularly batting cleanup.  He has been placed in the cleanup spot only 20 times in 120 games.

[MFS62]

I was asking if any other team had someone batting in that spot regularly this far into this season with fewer than 49 RBI.. I know that about Benge.

Later

[Lefty Specialist]

I like a Polanco-less lineup. A Semien-less lineup would be even better butcha can't have everything.

[ashie62]

I am still holding delusions that the post season is possible 

[MFS62]

If they do that, I'd sign a petition for a statue of Andy Green outside CitiField.

Later

[ashie62]

Luis Robert Jr would be the veteran right bat against Robbie Ray the veteran lefty

[ashie62]

Tuesday night club in effect

Tatis homers on first pitch

[Frayed Knot]

I don't know how Thornton expects to get major league hitters out with that mustache.

[ashie62]

Just like Nolan McLean

Bichette didn't make it to third?

[Frayed Knot]

Does Ty France refer to the Gold Glove he won last year as his 'Maginot Line'?

[ashie62]

Maybe it's me but that was a lame as eff half inning

Bichette with no hustle imho

Robert Jr with a good matchup does zero

Blah blah blah

[Edgy MD]

Morelly wins a challenge in his first trip to the plate.

[Frayed Knot]

Just now, Edgy MD said:

Morelly wins a challenge in his first trip to the plate.

One they had to measure how much it missed with a yardstick.

[Lefty Specialist]

So he walks the first two batters and you swing at the first pitch?

[ashie62]

Bags juiced