IGT 09/08 -- Rockies at Metsies

[Guest d'Kong76]

Colorado at NY Mets
When: 7:10 PM ET, Monday, September 8, 2014
Where: Citi Field, New York City, New York
SportsDirect Inc.

Michael Cuddyer returns from the disabled list for the third time this season when the Colorado Rockies visit the New York Mets on Monday, and said he is "ready to go, 100 percent." Cuddyer, who becomes a free agent at season's end, has missed 109 games with a broken shoulder and two stints because of a hamstring injury. �I would like to see him back here,� Rockies manager Walt Weiss told the Denver Post about the 35-year-old outfielder. �I just think he means so much to our club, in ways that go beyond the stat sheet."

The 2013 National League batting champion returns to a team that has won four straight, but is a major league-worst 20-49 on road - 4-19 since the All-Star break - and hitting .228 away from home. New York is coming off a 4-2 road trip after taking two of three each from Miami and Cincinnati. The Mets' Jonathon Niese snapped a two-start losing streak despite pitching ineffectively in his last outing and opposes Jordan Lyles, who is winless in his last five turns (0-1, 6.04 ERA).

TV:
7:10 p.m. ET, ROOT (Colorado), SNY (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP:
Rockies RH Jordan Lyles (6-2, 4.35 ERA) vs. Mets LH Jonathon Niese (8-10, 3.68)

Lyles received a no-decision after matching a season high by yielding six runs and eight hits in 6 1/3 innings of a 12-7 loss to San Francisco on Tuesday. The 23-year-old South Carolina native defeated Niese and New York 3-1 on Aug. 24, 2012 while with Houston, allowing one run and three hits in six innings while contributing an RBI double in his only appearance against the Mets. Lyles, who missed two months with a broken bone in his hand, has one victory in 10 starts since May 10.

Niese permitted six runs and 10 hits in six innings, but benefited from a rare offensive explosion in an 8-6 victory at Miami on Tuesday. �I just had to battle,� the 27-year-old Ohio native told reporters. �It was just one of those games where it seemed like everybody was hitting it where nobody was at.� Niese is 1-3 with a 5.65 ERA in six starts against Colorado - 0-2, 4.66 in three starts at Citi Field - and is 3-6 with a 4.97 ERA in nine starts since the All-Star break.

WALK-OFFS:
1. Rockies 2B DJ LeMahieu went 10-for-22 on Colorado's 5-1 homestand and is hitting .325 at Coors Field, but .210 on the road.
2. New York 1B Lucas Duda, who leads the team with 27 home runs and 80 RBIs and a .346 on-base percentage, is 6-for-44 with a homer and four RBIs in his last 12 games.
3. Colorado C Wilin Rosario on Sunday returned from the disabled list (left wrist inflammation) and delivered a pinch-hit double in the Rockies' 6-0 victory over San Diego.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

We've won 4 out of our last 5. Take this one, then the next two, then all four when the Nats visit, and we are in biz.

[Edgy MD]

Hoping to see a Duda Bomb or two in this game.

[Frayed Knot]

Rox snapshot:
- tied w/Arizona for worst record in NL
- no Tulo, no Cargo, although apparently a fresh off the DL Cuddyer
- Morneau & LeMahieu at 1st & 2nd probably speak to each other in French so the runners can't understand them (although maybe d'Arnaud & deGrom can)
- Nolan Arenado (good) and something named Josh Rutledge (yeah, I don't know him either) are at 3B & SS
- OF seems to consist of Corey Dickerson (nice stats), Drew Stubbs (350 ABs / 120 Ks), Charlie Blackmon (didn't he once play for the Knicks?) and Cuddyer
- catcher Willin Rosario is just off the DL

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Lots of talk that Cuddyer could be next year's special guest veteran outfielder signee.

He's been hurt most of this year but quietly good when not, and of course a Chesapeake VA buddy of David Wright's.

Also, one of Joelmon's muses.

THE BALLAD OF CUDDYER/JOHNOSN He turned down Cuddyer/Johnosn just as I thought he would Horrible idea. Cedeno will be cheaper next year and can still help us if we get Giambi next season AND we'd have Robin's replacement for 2003 and Reed's replacement AND save $ adn be a BETTER team for years Instead, lawton might = $ Reed in arbitrat

[bmfc1]

Maybe David can show his pal Cuddyer a good time in NY in case the Wilpons spend a few dollars on a free agent.

[Guest d'Kong76]

Lagares, CF
Nieuwenhuis, LF
Wright, 3B
Duda, 1B
d'Arnaud, C
Granderson, RF
Flores, SS
Herrera, 2B
Niese, P

[Ceetar]

d'Kong76 wrote: Lagares, CF Nieuwenhuis, LF Wright, 3B Duda, 1B d'Arnaud, C Granderson, RF Flores, SS Herrera, 2B Niese, P

what, no Abreu?

[Edgy MD]

I guess that's supposed to be blaming the Mets --- again --- for that entirely unfounded notion that they somehow hurt the team by disproportionately starting Abreu.

But come on, you had to make up numbers that entirely didn't exist then. Why poison another thread and return to that thesis now? Why, why, why? Goodness is happening.

[Ceetar]

Edgy MD wrote: I guess that's supposed to be blaming the Mets --- again --- for that entirely unfounded notion that they somehow hurt the team by disproportionately starting Abreu. But come on, you had to make up numbers that entirely didn't exist then. Why poison another thread and return to that thesis now? Why, why, why? Goodness is happening.

This was a completely tongue in cheek remark in regards to whoever brought up Abreu's promotion this weekend.

And shockingly, I was right about Abreu this summer.

[Edgy MD]

Yeah, that three-games-in-six accusation still doesn't hold up. Come on. Cut the unfounded sarcasm. You're the positive guy.

[Ceetar]

Edgy MD wrote: Yeah, that three-games-in-six accusation still doesn't hold up. Come on. Cut the unfounded sarcasm. You're the positive guy.

Sarcasm is always founded.

anyway, Bobby Abreu played in 67 games and got 142 PA. OPS .663

Kirk Nieuwenhuis has played in 50 games, for 102 PA. OPS .890. Only Familia and Carlyle have a higher number.

[Edgy MD]

Ceetar wrote: Sarcasm is always founded.

???

Enjoy the game.

[Guest d'Kong76]

Dickerson, LF
Rutledge, SS
Arenado, 3B
Cuddyer, 1B
Stubbs, CF
McKenry, C
Barnes, RF
LeMahieu, 2B
Lyles, P

[Ceetar]

Edgy MD wrote: Ceetar wrote: Sarcasm is always founded. ??? Enjoy the game.

I go through life 95% sarcastic. It's too stupid to take seriously. I was sure you'd noticed.

[G-Fafif]

Abreu won't officially be available to positively influence his younger teammates with his approach (per Alderson's remarks today) until tomorrow due to the timing of his release and when he's allowed to officially re-up with the big club.

Or is the first rule of Abreu Club that you don't talk about Abreu Club?

[ashie62]

We signed Brad Pitt?

LETS GO METS!!!!

[Guest Trachsel My Tears]

infield single for Rox to 3b, Ron and Gary likening it to last night's review (and overturned) call in the 9th, where Wright similarly had trouble getting the ball out of his mitt, discussing the issue as a pattern they've noticed more generally with Wright lately.

Lagares makes a full diving extension catch--first-rate, and then they pick the runner off. Very interesting half-inning on D.

[Zvon]

What I miss?

Replay has the catches by Lags and Lazy Feet. If you noticed, Flores jumped, his body stopped at its peak and he caught the ball, but his feet kept on jumping. Laaaaazzzzzy. Ha,no, nice catch.

Lags is just amazin'. He closed that gap in short order.

I always check the leather plays first.
OOO, nice rip by Duda. And Newy flies home. Niiice.

HR by....come on, Cuddyer should be a Met already dagnabbitt.

[Edgy MD]

Mister Met in a camouflage uniform this evening.

Could you imagine being in a battle and coming over the hill and seeing THAT guy coming the other firing way at you?

[Zvon]

Edgy MD wrote: Mister Met in a camouflage uniform this evening. Could you imagine being in a battle and coming over the hill and seeing THAT guy coming the other firing way at you?

He'd be a pretty big target. I assume I'm also armed but if not, I'd take him out with a good sized rock before his eyes rise over the horizon.

[Edgy MD]

Yeah, Mighty Joe Young made a pretty good target, too, but how could you be certain what you had on you could take him down. He's an unprecedented being in the theater of war and pretty much any place else. I'd be terrified.

Meanwhile, Niesey throwing it past people.

[Edgy MD]

Blake Doyle, Denny Doyle, and Brian Doyle are brothers. Blake and Brian are twins.

I had no idea any of them were related in any way.

[Edgy MD]

Blown away by Buddy.

[Zvon]

Nice job Buddy!

Mighty Joe Young is a pushover once you get to know him.

[ashie62]

The Camo Mr. Met? You cannot make this stuff up.

[Zvon]

The most impressive thing about that missed pop-up: Right after the ball is called foul Herrera is already standing on second.


OO, nice catch by that Rocky.

[Edgy MD]

Hey! Vic Black is still active!

[Zvon]

Gah! He Are'd it out.

[Edgy MD]

And... maybe a little rusty.

I remember falling in love with Arrenado back in Colorado.