IGT 6/19/2014 Mets @ Marlins Wheeler v. Heaney

[ashie62]

Make it two Metsies....

Heaney is new and highly regarded...

Zack Wheeler draws the fishcakes...

[Guest d'Kong76]

NY Mets at Miami
When: 7:10 PM ET, Thursday, June 19, 2014
Where: Marlins Park, Miami, Florida
SportsDirect Inc.

Giancarlo Stanton is expected to return to the lineup on Thursday as the host Miami Marlins open a four-game series against the National League East-rival New York Mets. Stanton belted his 20th homer on Wednesday, but gave many in South Florida some anxious moments after exiting the eventual 6-1 loss to the Chicago Cubs with a left wrist contusion. Although the popular slugger's left hand was visibly swollen after the game, manager Mike Redmond did his best to ease the fan base's fears by saying that Stanton is day-to-day with the injury.

While Miami endured a painful day on Wednesday, New York had reason to smile as Eric Young Jr. ripped a pair of RBI doubles to help the club salvage the series finale versus St. Louis. The 3-2 victory snapped an eight-game road losing skid for the Mets, who now are challenged with facing the team with the best home record in the National League (24-15). New York will have the honor of facing left-hander Andrew Heaney, who will be making his major-league debut for the Marlins on Thursday.

TV:
7:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, SNY (New York), FSN Florida (Miami)

PITCHING MATCHUP:
Mets RH Zack Wheeler (2-7, 4.38 ERA) vs. Marlins LH Andrew Heaney (NR)

Wheeler permitted four runs on six hits in his second straight start to suffer the loss in his last outing against San Diego. A lack of control has hampered the 24-year-old, who has seen his pitch count elevated after issuing multiple walks in three straight outings while allowing 34 free passes in 78 innings overall this season. Wheeler has pitched well in three career outings versus the Marlins, but does not have a decision to show for it despite registering a 1.42 ERA and limiting the opposition to a .143 batting average.

After a tremendously effective stay in the minors, Heaney was recalled from Triple-A New Orleans on Wednesday to make his debut. The ninth overall pick of the 2012 draft, Heaney has posted a combined mark of 7-2 this seasons while competing with Double-A Jacksonville and the Triple-A Zephyrs. The 23-year-old finds himself in the Marlins' rotation due in part to last month's season-ending injury to stud right-hander Jose Fernandez.

WALK-OFFS:
1. Miami won four of the six previous meetings between the division rivals in 2014, highlighted by a sweep at home on May 5-7.
2. Mets 3B David Wright followed a dismal 2-for-39 stretch by going 4-for-12 with two RBIs against the Cardinals.
3. Marlins 3B Casey McGehee has hit safely in 12 of his last 13 games, boosting his average from .288 to .310.

[G-Fafif]

Eric Young, Jr. � LF
Daniel Murphy � 2B
David Wright � 3B
Eric Campbell � 1B
Curtis Granderson � RF
Chris Young � CF
Taylor Teagarden � C
Ruben Tejada � SS
Zack Wheeler � RHP

Gotta get Tejada in there ahead of Flores. Flores is only now developing. Tejada represents winning.

[seawolf17]

I don't know how to track this stuff, but I'd bet the Mets' record against pitchers making their MLB debut in the past several years is something like 0-40. Not optimistic about tonight.

[Edgy MD]

Kleanup Kampbell.

[G-Fafif]

Those surprising Marlins. Lots of letter-power in the lower portion of the lineup.

Rafael Furcal, 2b
Jake Marisnick, cf
Giancarlo Stanton, rf
Casey McGehee, 3b
Garrett Jones, 1b
Marcell Ozuna, lf
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, c
Adeiny Hechavarria, ss
Andrew Heaney, lhp

[Frayed Knot]

seawolf17 wrote: I don't know how to track this stuff, but I'd bet the Mets' record against pitchers making their MLB debut in the past several years is something like 0-40. Not optimistic about tonight.

Fans of every team say that - and probably some of them are right.
What we do know from this season is that pitchers getting their first hit in MLB has become a regular occurrence against the Mets -- so I expect maybe a 2-for-3 w/an RBI day out of him no matter how he pitches.


Heaney was a Top-30 prospect prior to the season before racking up 8 good starts in AA then 4 more in (somewhat pitching friendly) AAA New Orleans.
Be nice if Wheeler, who was ranked higher still plus had a partial season of ML experience under his belt, were to out-pitch him.

[Frayed Knot]

G-Fafif wrote: Rafael Furcal, 2b Jake Marisnick, cf Giancarlo Stanton, rf Casey McGehee, 3b Garrett Jones, 1b Marcell Ozuna, lf Jarrod Saltalamacchia, c Adeiny Hechavarria, ss Andrew Heaney, lhp

Marisnick was a prospect coming up with Toronto (3rd round pick) who was one of the cogs in that huge Reyes trade and was just called up this week.
As was Furcal who hast played since 2012 due to injuries and to the fact that he's 63 years old (OK only 36, it just seems longer).
If either or both have anything going forward/still left then it allows them to lengthen out that lineup. Ozuna / Saltalamacchia / Hechavarria is a nice 6-7-8 (although they also use up all the A's on the SCRABBLE board)

[Edgy MD]

Fifth inning and working on a one-hitter, folks. Are you all watching soccer?

[Guest d'Kong76]

I have no proof, but Thurs nights are the slowest here.

[Edgy MD]

What is it? Game of Thrones or somesuch?

Second DP the Marlins have hit into in two innings. Third of the game.

[Fman99]

I am watching. The Heaney kid can dish.

Nice one out single for Grandy here in the 7th.

[Edgy MD]

Eric Young getting it done since coming off the DL.

[Edgy MD]

Not sure where you were going, EY.

[Edgy MD]

I guess he didn't want to get forced at second if the pop fell in, but...

[Edgy MD]

Wheeler still bringing it in the eighth.

Hickcock certainly giving him the outside corner.

[nymr83]

Wheeler!!!! Does he come out for the 9th?

[Zvon]

Nymr83 wrote: Wheeler!!!! Does he come out for the 9th?

Looks like it

[Zvon]

If anyone reaches in the 9th they pull him, no?

[Edgy MD]

I would guess that would be the plan. Among other things, it protects him from getting a loss. I'm sure managers think about that sort of thing.

[Fman99]

That's one. C'mon, Zackie.

[Zvon]

Wow. It looks like he's taking something off his pitches.

1 out

[Edgy MD]

Happy to see that the ump has dinner reservations with Keith.

[Fman99]

2

[Zvon]

He's either easing up on or aiming the curve. Don't matter if he gets it done.

2 out

[Lefty Specialist]

.

Edited June 19, 2014 by Guest

[Fman99]

I hate Reed Johnson.

[Zvon]

Uh fuck. I say leave him in.

It's his to lose.

[Edgy MD]

Terry gives him the slack to pitch to the winning run.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

[bigpurple:3oufykd0]Read about it at your local library![/bigpurple:3oufykd0]