Opening Day IGT, 4/1/2011, Mets @ Marlins

[Guest Edgy DC]

Expected lineups:

1. Reyes, ss
2. Pagan, cf
3. Wright, 3b
4. Beltran, rf
5. Davis, 1b
6. Duda, lf
7. Thole, c
8. Emaus, 2b
9. Pelfrey, p

1. Coghlan, cf
2. Infante, 2b
3. Ramirez, ss
4. Stanton, rf
5. Sanchez, 1b
6. Morrison, LF
7. Buck, c
8. Murphy, 3b
9. Johnson, sp

Mets	=#0080BF]Marlins

The Mets opened last season against Josh Johnson and the Marlins also --- with Johan Santana, alas, but also with a lineup that included Mike Jacobs (subbing for Daniel Murphy injured by a HbP late in spring training), Alex Cora (subbing for a thyroid-addled Jose Reyes), and Gary Matthews, Jr. (subbing for a knee-surgery-recuperating Carlos Beltran). The Mets went out and kicked ass anyway to the tune of 7-1. HAH!

Other strange burdens appearing for the Mets that day were Frank Catalanotto coming off the bench and Jerry Manuel calling the shots. Jeff Francoeur and Rod Barajas each got off to a great starts toward solid springs that would eventually wilt in the summer sun. Fernando Nieve pitched two innings on his way to somehow appearing in 71 games in April alone.

Victory nonetheless. As it should be. And as it shall be in this one.

�Viva los Mets!

[TransMonk]

Aren't the Mets historically the best opening day team in the league? They're hella good on OD, IIRC.

[Ceetar]

Didn't the Mets announce Harris starting? (Duda and Beltran both won't be in RF regardless)

[Guest Edgy DC]

Fixed.

Report I read said Duda. I had half a mind to post Duda/Hairston/Harris but we can fix later. That lineup is all about getting your blood pumping.

[Frayed Knot]

So depending on the exact lineup and the batting order, Emaus, or maybe Hairston or Harris, becomes the first "next" Met out of this season's newbies - which is a way of saying that we've got to re-start that thread.
Then, with Paulino on the shelf and Young & Capuano not scheduled for a few days, a variety of PHers and relievers to follow depending on the order in which they're used.

[TransMonk]

http://dicomo.mlblogs.com/2011/03/30/the-opening-day-lineup-minus-jason-bay/

A team official said Wednesday that rather than start rookie Lucas Duda against Marlins right-hander Josh Johnson on Friday night, the Mets will play Willie Harris in left field (Harris, a lefty, is 4-for-15 lifetime off Johnson with seven walks and a home run). The Mets do, however, plan to start Duda regularly in left field, beginning Saturday and Sunday against two more Marlins right-handers.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Frayed Knot wrote: So depending on the exact lineup and the batting order, Emaus, or maybe Hairston or Harris, becomes the first "next" Met out of this season's newbies - which is a way of saying that we've got to re-start that thread. Then, with Paulino on the shelf and Young & Capuano not scheduled for a few days, a variety of PHers and relievers to follow depending on the order in which they're used.

Yes... soon the mystery of the 900th Met will be solved.

The count has been at 895 since the end of the 2010 season.

[Ceetar]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Frayed Knot wrote: So depending on the exact lineup and the batting order, Emaus, or maybe Hairston or Harris, becomes the first "next" Met out of this season's newbies - which is a way of saying that we've got to re-start that thread. Then, with Paulino on the shelf and Young & Capuano not scheduled for a few days, a variety of PHers and relievers to follow depending on the order in which they're used. Yes... soon the mystery of the 900th Met will be solved. The count has been at 895 since the end of the 2010 season.

We got a wager going? I'm going Byrdak.

[Ceetar]

official:
Reyes-6,
Harris-7,
Wright-5,
Beltran-9,
Pagan-8,
Davis-3,
Emaus-4,
Thole-2,
Pelfrey-1

[metirish]

Harris in the two hole, a surprise?

[TransMonk]

Yeah, I thought Thole, if not Pagan in the 2-hole...but Harris?

FIRE TERRY COLLINS!!

[Vic Sage]

he's breaking up the dead bats in the lineup. can't fault him, really, cuz iIf you hit Thole 2, then you get Emaus/Harris/pitcher in the bottom 3rd. If you hit Pagan 2, you then have Emaus hitting 6th, which is an RBI slot i don't think Collins wants to lay on Emaus just yet (if ever).

The bigger problem is that Harris just shouldn't be starting in LF. I like Pagan further down, cuz i think he may have RBI potential, with Thole hitting 2nd, and a Duda/Hairston platoon in LF til Bay returns.

[TransMonk]

Collins must be going on Willie's small sample size of at-bats vs. Johnson.

He has already hinted that Duda will most likely go Saturday and Sunday.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

... the Mets will play Willie Harris in left field (Harris, a lefty, is 4-for-15 lifetime off Johnson with seven walks and a home run).

Grumblegrumblegrumble...

[Benjamin Grimm]

So unless that changes, Harris will be Met number 896, and Emaus will be number 897.

[metirish]

all about the numbers Collins says

�Strictly numbers,� Collins said about selecting Harris over Lucas Duda or Scott Hairston. �We talked about the importance of getting out of the gate. This guy [Johnson] is one of the best in the league, one of the best in baseball. And if you�ve got a guy who hits this guy, it would seem to me you should get him in there.� Among major leaguers with double-digit career plate appearances against Johnson, Harris ranks seventh in OBP. The only players ahead of Harris: Fernando Tatis (.667, 12 PA), Nick Johnson (.643, 14 PA), Scott Rolen (.600, 10 PA), Bill Hall (.545, 11 PA), Aubrey Huff (.538, 13 PA) and Andre Ethier (.533, 15 PA).

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Dumd Q, but did Buchholz make the team?!?

[ashie62]

LETS!

[Fman99]

[bigpurple:17882h0h]GO[/bigpurple:17882h0h]

[metirish]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Dumd Q, but did Buchholz make the team?!?

Yep he did, #33

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Er...

[ashie62]

Its' snowing out and Jimmy Crack Corn, I don't care!

May Edgy open the season with a double digit IGT thread strak!!!!!

[Gwreck]

Forget that stupid Mets/Phillies shirt discussed elsewhere -- THAT (see LWFS post above) is a product that I just don't get. Who would buy (and wear) such a thing?

[Willets Point]

My first thought is that it looked like something Fman would like, maybe if there was an arrow pointing down from MEATS.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

I believe Paul "UniWatch" Lukas is behind that particular fashion. He wore it last time I saw him at the game.

Meantime, tonite Lunchpail is at Granny's, so Wifey Bucket and I are looking for a place to catch the game (mostly for me) AND get good food (mostly for her). Looking at the Ainsworth. Anyone been? Other suggestions of a sports gastropub? Thanks!

[Gwreck]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: I believe Paul "UniWatch" Lukas is behind that particular fashion. He wore it last time I saw him at the game.

Seems so out of character for him, with his otherwise good taste in Mets-related apparel.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Gwreck wrote: Forget that stupid Mets/Phillies shirt discussed elsewhere -- THAT (see LWFS post above) is a product that I just don't get. Who would buy (and wear) such a thing?

If I was a Mets fan who owned a butcher shop, I'd wear it at work.

Otherwise... no.

[Guest Edgy DC]

1. Reyes, ss
2. Harris, lf
3. Wright, 3b
4. Beltran, rf
5. Pagan, cf
6. Davis, 1b
7. Thole, c
8. Emaus, 2b
9. Pelfrey, p

1. Coghlan, cf
2. Infante, 2b
3. Ramirez, ss
4. Stanton, rf
5. Sanchez, 1b
6. Morrison, LF
7. Buck, c
8. Murphy, 3b
9. Johnson, sp

Mets	=#0080BF]Marlins

I'll add my confusion to that of others over the flipflopping lineup. Harris may have a name that sounds like a table setter, but Pagan legitimately is one, and while we may hope there's more RBI power in Pagan's bat, occasional bursts of power have been the saving grace in Harris's otherwise stagnant offensive game in recent years.

I guess, maybe, Collins is a little attracted to the large number of walks in Harris's history against Johnson. I understand, in the absence of a greater data set, using that small sample size as a reason for starting Harris over Hariston and Duda today, but I'm not so sure I'm down with bumping a guy to the front of the lineup over it.

[Ceetar]

well, truth is, it wouldn't be a baseball season if we weren't nitpicking the lineup.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

I have a "Meats" shirt.