IGT 8/18 Cubs at Mets 12:10 Colon v. Hendricks

[ashie62]

I hope Chicago just wants to leave town...

[Edgy MD]

Colon's last Mets start, I'm tellin' ya. Heck, he may get scratched before he takes the mound.

[Gwreck]

Edgy MD wrote: Colon's last Mets start, I'm tellin' ya. Heck, he may get scratched before he takes the mound.

Did you know something that we didn't?

He has been scratched as his mother is very ill. Carlos Torres is starting.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Oh dear.

[Guest d'Kong76]

NEW YORK -- Mets manager Terry Collins got to the office Monday morning and learned of a sudden change of plans.
Bartolo Colon, who was scheduled to start in the series finale against the Cubs, was scratched. He was to fly home to the Dominican Republic to be with his critically ill mother.
Right-hander Carlos Torres will start in Colon's place.
The Mets did not make a roster move -- the news came on too short notice before first pitch -- but could place Colon on the bereavement list Tuesday before opening a series against Oakland.

Chi. Cubs at NY Mets
When: 12:10 PM ET, Monday, August 18, 2014
Where: Citi Field, New York City, New York
SportsDirect Inc.

Despite mustering precisely four hits in each contest, the New York Mets have won two of three heading into Monday afternoon's series finale against the visiting Chicago Cubs. The Mets claimed the set's first two before Starlin Castro continue his torrid hitting display by belting the go-ahead homer to lead off the ninth in Sunday's 2-1 triumph. Castro, who is 26-for-65 while hitting safely in 15 of his last 16 games, has enjoyed success - albeit in a small sample size (2-for-3) - versus Monday starter Bartolo Colon.

While Castro is riding high, New York has produced four hits or fewer in four consecutive contests - accounting for the third-longest streak in franchise history. For this season's club to avoid being linked to the 1963 and 2004 renditions, it will need to find some offense on Monday. Unfortunately for manager Terry Collins' crew, captain David Wright is expected to miss his second straight game with an ailing shoulder.

TV:
12:10 p.m. ET, CSN Chicago, SNY (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP:
Cubs RH Kyle Hendricks (4-1, 1.73 ERA) vs. [crossout]Mets RH Bartolo Colon (11-10, 3.85)[/crossout]

Hendricks posted his third straight victory after scattering six hits over 7 1/3 scoreless innings en route to a 3-0 triumph against Milwaukee on Tuesday. The 24-year-old Dartmouth product has allowed five runs on 28 hits in his last five outings (35 2/3 innings) after a rocky debut on July 10. Hendricks has permitted just two homers, but his nine walks leave a bit to be desired.

After notching his 200th career victory on Aug. 8, Colon allowed two runs - one earned - and struck out eight in seven innings to take the loss versus Washington five days later. Speaking of hard-luck setbacks, the 41-year-old Dominican was handed that fate in his last meeting with the Cubs in 2013 -- falling to 0-2 in his career versus the franchise despite permitting only two runs in seven innings. Colon has yielded two runs or fewer in four of his last five outings.

WALK-OFFS:
1. Chicago 3B Luis Valbuena, who had an RBI single to snap a 1-for-32 skid on Sunday, has homered twice in five at-bats versus Colon.
2. New York RF Curtis Granderson ended a 1-for-28 skid with an RBI single in the eighth inning on Sunday.
3. Cubs OF Matt Szczur made his major-league debut as a pinch runner on Sunday and could draw the start in the series finale.

[Edgy MD]

In a more just world, where the AAA Mets are still in Buffalo or Norfolk, Matsuzaka would be flying in for this start fresh as a daisy.

Anyhow, all blessings to Colon and his family. Sorry if I triggered something in his fate.

[Ceetar]

Edgy MD wrote: In a more just world, where the AAA Mets are still in Buffalo or Norfolk, Matsuzaka would be flying in for this start fresh as a daisy. Anyhow, all blessings to Colon and his family. Sorry if I triggered something in his fate.

ditto.

Probably doesn't really matter though, can grab Dice-K to fill in the Torres role in the meantime, only missing out today.

[Edgy MD]

TODAY MATTERS!

[Frayed Knot]

If nothing else, those fans who complain about the lack of a set lineup have very little to squawk about these days.

Curtis Granderson, rf
Daniel Murphy, 2b
David Wright, 3b
Lucas Duda, 1b
Travis d'Arnaud, c
Matt den Dekker, lf
Juan Lagares, cf
Wilmer Flores, ss
Carlos Torres, rhp


Arismendy Alcantara, cf
Javier Baez, 2b
Anthony Rizzo, 1b
Starlin Castro, ss
Luis Valbuena, 3b
Justin Ruggiano, rf
Welington Castillo, c
Matt Szczur, lf
Kyle Hendricks, rhp

[Guest d'Kong76]

G'morning, g'afternoon, and g'night for Torres in the first

[Zvon]

Ha. Torres Ks the side to start the game. How about that?

Oh, Wrights in. Nice.

[Edgy MD]

den Dekker gets with the program, keeping the ball in the infield, but deviates meaningfully by beating out a hit.

[Zvon]

I have a sudden urge to play hackysack with Torres.

[Edgy MD]

Torres bulls up and gets Castillo with the bags juiced.

[Frayed Knot]

Half of today's trivia question has already been answered as Granderson & den Dekker have the first two Met hits.
Now we just need to know who will get the other two?

[Guest d'Kong76]

DudaBOOM!

Edited August 18, 2014 by Guest

[Zvon]

DOOBOOm!

[Zvon]

Meh, you win some, you lose some. All but one view looked like a tie. At least they were fast about it.

[Zvon]

Another very fast review. Definitely thought that one would be reversed too.


Great play Wilma

Edited August 18, 2014 by Guest

[Frayed Knot]

I wonder if the fact that this is the only game going on now is why the two replays have been decided so quickly; all eyes on the one TV set.
If so maybe one solution to these delays is simply more eyeballs in use.

[Frayed Knot]

Torres, pulled for a PH (Niese), is in line for the win - but four innings still to go and, remember, we only have one more hit before today's quota is filled.

[Guest d'Kong76]

Torres done, nice emergency outing!

[Zvon]

Gil, Rocky & Boyer

[Guest d'Kong76]

YO, Where DA O???

[Frayed Knot]

They weren't supposed to take my joke about limiting themselves to four hits again seriously.
Right now it's starting to look like they won't even get that many.

[Frayed Knot]

New York Mets hits = 3
Luis Valbuena hits = 3

[Guest d'Kong76]

Remarkably suck-ass through 8.

[Edgy MD]

Three hits for Valbuena? Really?

[Frayed Knot]

Terry once again double-switches and then doesn't keep his pitcher in.


And now Mejia once again has a two-hit (and counting) inning.

[Zvon]

In all my years here have I ever said that the Mets suck? I don't think so. I hate to have to threaten my team but if they don't find a way to win this one I'm going to tell everyone that the Mets suck.

Ohhhhh, and there goes a two run bomb by Baez.