IGT #124 8/20/13: Braves @ Mets: d'Home Debut

[Ceetar]

The Braves have soared to a 15 1/2-game lead in the National League East, in part by beating up on teams within their division.

Hey!

The Mets have been the exception, playing the Braves even through their first 14 meetings.

oh, okay.

Atlanta will get the chance to change that on Tuesday night, when it opens a two-game set at Citi Field.

Hey!

Radio: ATL: 680 AM/93.7 FM, WNNX 100.5 NYM: WFAN 660/101.9 FM, WEPN 1050
TV: ATL: SPSO NYM: SNY

Zack Wheeler versus Brandon Beachy. 7:10 pm.

[Edgy MD]

This is Wheeler's third time out against the Braves. He made his debut in Atlanta and they're the only team that has seen him more than once. The Mets won both of those previous starts, 6-1 in the debut, with Wheels going six shoutout (but wild) innings, and 7-4 on July 25, with Wheeler giving up long homers to Uggla and Freeman. Uggla's on ice right now, but Freeman seems like the only Brave who has been a consistent threat to the Mets in reacent years. (To a lesser extent, McCann, I think.)


Wheeler's page is sponsored by "Howard Megdal, Writer-At-Large, Capital New York."

[G-Fafif]

d'Lineup:

Eric Young, Jr. � LF
Daniel Murphy � 2B
Marlon Byrd � RF
Ike Davis � 1B
Wilmer Flores � 3B
Juan Lagares � CF
Travis d�Arnaud � C
Omar Quintanilla � SS
Zack Wheeler � RHP

[Zvon]

Wright says he will return before seasons end and will be interviewed tonight by Kevin in the 3rd inning.

PLAYBALL!

[Zvon]

Booth says Wheelers throwing smoke, and it looks like he is. But no Ks and three fly outs (w/a single between) says he is pitching to contact.

[Zvon]

Mets score in the first. Young reaches on error, steals second, Byrd moves him to third on a ground out, and Ikes 2 out single drives him in.

[Zvon]

Heyward? Again!?
What a catch.

[Edgy MD]

That Heyward is some player.

[Edgy MD]

Gary noting that there was no reaction whatsoever for d'Arnaud's introduction.

[metirish]

As Gary points out there was basically no reaction to hot catching prospect making his first CF at bat......

[Zvon]

I think the fans know exactly whats going on. The silent treatment. I'm also saving it all for Travs first hit.


I kid%=99.9%

[Edgy MD]

Keith credits it park-based disengagement. I'm thinking there's other things in play there. Team-based disengagement, entitlement, breath-holding, and the familiarity born of seeing him on TV through several gaes on the road, making folks largely unawared of the d'Istinction of the that being his d'Ebut at-bat.

[Guest Kong76]

Keith going on and on about Zack, but pitch count over
fifty before last out of the third.

[Edgy MD]

Yeah, Keith having real woody trouble, comparing him to Nolan Ryan in the first.

d'Arnaud looking like a good outfielder there.

[Zvon]

Yea, this booth gushing is a lil surprizing. lil bit. Wheeler is pitching well, and smart, but he's not all that tonight.


Oh, and obviously we want you back Dave.

[Edgy MD]

More outfielding from the kid.

[Edgy MD]

Don't know where to pitch Heyward. He's too far off the plate to jam, but has good extension to cover away. If you don't have a curve that he'll chase away, it's hard to sneak anything by him.

[Edgy MD]

Thought that was a crap call, but super slo-mo vindicates the ump.

[Zvon]

Don't throw mah man Agees name around so loosely Keith. But Lagares, with another bunt single, does have the tools.

OH! Almost d' first hit.

[Zvon]

Edgy MD wrote: More outfielding from the kid.

I stepped off. Missed this. Hope it becomes a replay.

[Zvon]

I get it. Keith is gushing because Zach is pitching the way he prefers Wheeler to pitch, using mostly fastballs.

Even the older folk are cringing at that tie in Keith.

OH WHAT A CATCH BY YOUNG!!!!!!!!

[Edgy MD]

I don't care. Young may lack experience and polish out there, but I'll take his effort and athleticism every time.

[Edgy MD]

Mets are buntastic this evening.

[Zvon]

Sidney Greenstreet>Maltese Falcon> fall guy Wilmer> Flores nice play.
Ha.

Edgy MD wrote: I don't care. Young may lack experience and polish out there, but I'll take his effort and athleticism every time.

You see how close to the ground he picked that off? That was amazin'.

[Edgy MD]

What an ugly puss on McCann after that throw.

[Zvon]

Mets make it happen! Murphy steals second and the Braves throw the ball into the outfield. Young scores!

[Zvon]

[Edgy MD]

You don't see too many you know are gone off the bat at Citi, but KABOOOM! You know?

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

He's hit some LONG ones. The one he hit off of Marmol in the Kirk-walkoff-that-made-Bob-Costas-despair game was a LOOOOONG one, if I recall correctly.

[Edgy MD]

Very nervous seeing him still out there for Heyward.