IGT 09/10 -- Rockies at Metsies

[Guest d'Kong76]

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

On a night when the New York Mets were feeling mighty good about their future, they received sobering news about the present. Following a 2-0 win over Colorado on Tuesday, New York announced captain David Wright will be shut down for the remainder of the season due to persistent inflammation in his left rotator cuff. It's a costly blow for the Mets, who sit 5 1/2 games behind Pittsburgh for the second National League wild card as they try to complete a three-game sweep of the Rockies on Wednesday.

New York has to make a choice as to who starts at third base in place of Wright, and one option could be moving second baseman Daniel Murphy, who came off the disabled list Tuesday and ran his hitting streak to six games. The Rockies, meanwhile, will trot out one of their best hopes for the future in Tyler Matzek, who has won three straight starts and is riding a 21-inning scoreless streak. Colorado is a major league-worst 20-51 away from home, including 4-21 since the All-Star break.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP:
Rockies LH Tyler Matzek (5-9, 4.32 ERA) vs. Mets RH Rafael Montero (0-3, 5.23)

Matzek showed why the Rockies invested a first-round draft pick in him in 2009, tossing a masterful three-hit shutout against San Diego - the first at home by a Colorado pitcher since April 2011. The 23-year-old Californian also turned in a dominating effort in his previous turn with seven scoreless innings of three-hit ball at Arizona. Matzek had lost four straight road starts before notching back-to-back wins at San Francisco and Arizona.

Montero was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas last week for his third stint with the Mets and still is seeking his first major-league win in his eighth appearance (seventh start). The 23-year-old Dominican, who is two days older than Matzek, had to settle for a no-decision in his last start despite allowing one run on five hits over 7 1/3 innings against the Chicago Cubs. He has struggled with the long ball, giving up eight in 32 2/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS:
1. Mets C Travis d'Arnaud has hit safely in seven straight games, going 13-for-28.
2. Rockies 3B Nolan Arenado has recorded four homers and seven RBIs during his six-game hitting streak.
3. Mets LF Matt den Dekker left Tuesday's game after getting hit by a pitch on the left hand, but X-rays were negative.

[Edgy MD]

Man, throwing Montero into the middle of winning streak.

[Guest d'Kong76]

He has struggled with the long ball, giving up eight in 32 2/3 innings.

Whoa Whoa Wee Wah!

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Our lineup vs. lefties is less scary without David Wright. I suppose we could use an additional RH PH bat off the bench, something along the lines of Downtown Brown, especially if dekDenner is compromised, or maybe Chris Young after the MFYs release him.

Just kidding -- he's their best hitter!

[Edgy MD]

Downtown is still on the roster, so yeah, call him up. We'll also get to see if Satin has anything more than he showed at the start of the season.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

I'd already forgotten Josh Satin existed.

[Ceetar]

d'Kong76 wrote: He has struggled with the long ball, giving up eight in 32 2/3 innings. Whoa Whoa Wee Wah!

Luckily, that'll be better for him next year with the walls coming in.

[ashie62]

I am looking at this Montero start as the Mets showcasing him.

[Guest d'Kong76]

Lagares, CF
Flores, SS
Murphy, 3B
d'Arnaud, C
Campbell, 1B
Granderson, RF
Herrera, 2B
Young, LF
Montero, P

[Lefty Specialist]

Wow. Now THERE'S a different-looking lineup.

Flores batting 2nd. A cameo appearance by Eric Young. Murph at 3rd and Soup at 1st. And a dose of Dilson. Intriguing.

[bmfc1]

What purpose does it serve to give Eric Young a start?

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

The lack of Downtown Brown on the roster.

[Edgy MD]

Gonna be tough to avoid a letdown in this one.

[Guest d'Kong76]

Blackmon, RF
Stubbs, CF
Morneau, 1B
Arenado, 3B
Dickerson, LF
McKenry, C
Rutledge, SS
LeMahieu, 2B
Matzek, P

[ashie62]

I would like to see Flores bat third one time. It would be like the Mets telling him we believe you could be our best hitter, show us.

[Ceetar]

Let's keep on truckin'.

[Edgy MD]

Two walks in the first, but otherwise clean.

Control pitching not necessarily translating at the big league level.

[Ceetar]

Cleaner second

[Edgy MD]

bmfc1 wrote: What purpose does it serve to give Eric Young a start?

Boom.

[Ceetar]

Edgy MD wrote: bmfc1 wrote: What purpose does it serve to give Eric Young a start? Boom.

Kirk would've homered.

[Edgy MD]

Maybe. But it would be the second homer and third extra-base hit vs. a lefty in his career.

.162 / .271 / .203 / .473

[ashie62]

Eric Young Jr. is the only Young on the team.

[Zvon]

Back in the doghouse EYoung!

[Edgy MD]

Two of the only three hits this evening.

[Frayed Knot]

Dario Alvarez will now at least HAVE rate stats on his sheet as he records his first ever out as an ML pitcher.

[Frayed Knot]

Eric Young: Hittin' machine.

[Zvon]

Edgy MD wrote: Two of the only three hits this evening.

Eric Young: Hittin' machine.

Dario? And Dilson? These 21st century names make me feel old.

I'm a Young supporter. I don't hold his flashes of stupidity against him. I feel that one of TCs worst moves this season was sitting EYoung going into the first Colorado series. I don't think I said anything but it's been bugging me ever since.

Everyday, I dunno, but I think EYoung would be a fine primary utility guy. OF, INF. Just saving him for a late inning steal is good but he could do more. Spell Murph & Wright (shortstop in a pinch) and good for all OF spots.

We have so many other players to look at I'm not going to harp. But EYoung should play a more important role IMO.

GJ there by Lags lifting the sac fly.

2-0

[Edgy MD]

Do the Rockies scout outfielders hoping to find the weakest arms they can find?

[Edgy MD]

Jeurys seems like he's grinding.

[Edgy MD]

Boom-chakalakalaka!