IGT 5/8 - Mets @ Phils

[Frayed Knot]

On a roll baby!

Joe Blanton, coming off his best start of the season, gets the start for Philly against Miguel Batista

Blanton's had a decision in each of the six games (5 starts) he's worked this year (3-3) and his last outing was a CG 3-hit/6-K/0-BB shutout of the Braves - although prior to that he had been pummeled by the Giants & Padres [11 IP, 10 runs (7 ER) 18 hits]
Batista, as we are all too aware, is trying to hang on both to his spot in the rotation and his career in general.

So how much do the Phils miss their big lefty-swingers on the right side of the infield? Well they're sporting the lowest Isolated Power numbers (SlgP - BA = IsoP) in the NL even despite the slew of doubles they hit yesterday and Hunter Pence's 2-HR day on Sunday. Yeah slugging is down all over in baseball over the last few years, but this year's Phils are slugging at just about 1968 rates.
Current NL Avg = .138
2012 Phils = .101
1968 NL = .098

The double Rollins hit to leadoff the game yesterday, for instance, was only his 5th XBH (all doubles) of the year among his 27 hits
Even the 2012 Mets, coming as they are off a string of 99 ABs without an XBH (broken by Wright's 5th inning 2B) are managing a .113 IsoP

[Benjamin Grimm]

This looks like one of those games that's destined for the loss column. So if they can pull out a win tonight it will be extra sweet.

[Ceetar]

Basically if there is one team you'd want to face as a struggling pitcher, it's the Phillies.

You can't forget that the Phillies power is so bad AND they play in an extremely hitter friendly ballpark.

Hopefully Blanton is a step off after his long CG. Chase him out of the game, the Phillies bullpen is really bad and we already wore out their best reliever.

on top of that, Cliff Lee is returning from the DL, and even if he's super effective I can't imagine they'd want to push him deep.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

I suspect we'll see DJ Carrasco today, possibly auditioning to start the next time through himself. Whatever happens I hope Batista can hold him off till the 5th but I can't make an argument as to why he would.

Wondering aloud whether Acosta or Ramirez might try the starting route also.

[Ceetar]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: I suspect we'll see DJ Carrasco today, possibly auditioning to start the next time through himself. Whatever happens I hope Batista can hold him off till the 5th but I can't make an argument as to why he would. Wondering aloud whether Acosta or Ramirez might try the starting route also.

They tried Carrasco in a start last year right? I guess it makes sense throw him in in LR after Batista if he struggles and he's on target to take the next one.

the conspiracy theory is that Gary Cohen noted Batista going to the bullpen late in the game last night. Maybe the Mets are on the cusp of signing someone to make the start?

[TransMonk]

I'm hoping the Mets knock Blanton around...that way, Batista having a good game is less important.

Also, to Ceetar's point, I hope the Mets get into the Phillies' bullpen early tonight. With them probably not wanting to stretch Lee too far tomorrow no matter how he throws, it might make them thin in relief.

Today would be a good day for the Duda/Davis power supply to ignite.

[TransMonk]

05-08-2012 03:29:27 AM: Phillies pitching coach Rich Dubee said Lee (oblique) will be limited to 75 or 80 pitches in his start Wednesday, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Debating whom you'd rather see more of, between Carrasco and Batista, is a lot like deciding which testicle you'd rather have kicked.

[Edgy MD]

Not to endorse these gross pitch count restrictions, but if that's the limit, I'd advocate holding Lee out of the game until the third.

[MFS62]

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: Debating whom you'd rather see more of, between Carrasco and Batista, is a lot like deciding which testicle you'd rather have kicked.

You're making a strong case for the reinstatement of the BOC competition.

Later

[Benjamin Grimm]

I pick Carrasco.

Which testicle would that be?

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Whichever one lists to the side and/or puts men on needlessly.

[MFS62]

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: Whichever one lists to the side and/or puts men on needlessly.

If you're deciding which one, I guess that's the one to kick.

Later

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

You'd think, but the other one is a lot older than it looks, and it's pretty much asking to be hit, hard.

[TransMonk]

Edgy DC wrote: Not to endorse these gross pitch count restrictions, but if that's the limit, I'd advocate holding Lee out of the game until the third.

Agreed.

[G-Fafif]

Torres-CF
Nieuwenhuis-LF
Wright-3B
Duda-RF
Murphy-2B
Davis-1B
Valdespin-SS
Nickeas-C
Batista-RHP

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

SS Rollins
LF Pierre
CF Victorino
RF Pence
C Ruiz
3B Polanco
1B Mayberry
2B Orr
P Blanton

[Edgy MD]

Mets scratch a walk in the first.

Why can't we hit this guy?

[Edgy MD]

And Pence puts the Phils up.

[metirish]

Gotta love Keith , Duda can't make the catch up by the wall and Keith is "well Lucas is not fleet of foot, as a hitter your glad Clemente isn't out there"...


Duda should of had it of course.

[Edgy MD]

Radio guys weren't talking about Niewenhuis' footspeed, but more about his wall-shyness.

[Guest vtmet]

Edgy DC wrote: Mets scratch a walk in the first. Why can't we hit this guy?

I've never figured that one out...his Batting average against on his career, is almost Mike Pelfrey like...yet the Mets have hit only .250 (1.19 WHIP) off of him in 9 career starts of Blanton vs the Mets...

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/7461/splits;_ylt=AnXRgb.7CvaxkMPY4IzP2M.FCLcF?year=career&type=Pitching

[Edgy MD]

Pete Orr puts them up 3-0.

Pete Orr?

C'mon, you Mets.

[metirish]

Batista is awful , can't afford bad defence with this fella on the mound.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Who thought Batista would work out? This is awful how we've punted each and every start that hasn't gone to one of the starting five. Disgraceful.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Sorry, but it's time to become a full-time novelist.

[Edgy MD]

Hunter Pence comes to the plate to the tune of "Danger Zone"? Really?

Time to become a full-time crappy DJ.

[metirish]

Christ, Keith talking about Batista maybe having to suck it up if this gets out of hand ....tell us to tune out altogether....

[TransMonk]

I'm late to the game due to my civic duty and we're already down 4-0?

I see a couple of errors, but still, Batista needs to be DFA'd. I've got zero confidence in him.

[Edgy MD]

Don't worry too much about the errata. One of those is Batista's.