Cards at Mets 5/21 IGT Gay Dame End the Madness!

[Fman99]

1:10 PM first pitch. Debating working from home so as to allow for "focus" on "work stuff."

[Guest d'Kong76]

St. Louis at NY Mets
When: 1:10 PM ET, Thursday, May 21, 2015
Where: Citi Field, New York City, New York
SportsDirect Inc.

The New York Mets� vaunted pitching staff has been no match for the St. Louis Cardinals� offense of late. The Mets will try to stop the hit parade and salvage a split of the four-game series when they host the finale against the Cardinals on Thursday.

New York has dropped seven of its last 10 games to fall behind the Washington Nationals atop the National League Central. The Mets got their pitching staff just enough support in a 2-1 win in Monday�s series opener but have been outscored 19-2 in losing the last two, including a shutout on Wednesday. The offensive explosion comes on the heels of a six-game stretch in which St. Louis totaled 12 runs and has been keyed by Kolten Wong, who is 4-for-10 with four RBIs and four runs scored in the last two games. Wong and company will take aim at Mets starter Jacob deGrom on Thursday.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, FSN Midwest (St. Louis), SNY (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals LHP Jaime Garcia (2014: 3-1, 4.12 ERA) vs. Mets RH Jacob deGrom (3-3, 3.21)

Garcia is making his first start since last June after coming through his final rehab appearance with no issues on Friday. The 28-year-old made 16 total starts in the previous two seasons while dealing with shoulder injuries but will get a chance to stick in the rotation in the spot vacated by Adam Wainwright. Garcia is 2-0 with a 0.96 ERA in four career starts against New York.

deGrom has allowed one earned run in two of his last three starts and cruised through six innings against Milwaukee on Saturday while going 3-for-3 at the plate. The 26-year-old has been at his best at home, posting a 4-1 record with a 1.42 ERA in five starts in front of friendly fans. deGrom is making his second career appearance against the Cardinals and was knocked around for six runs and 12 hits in 4 1/3 innings the last time.

WALK-OFFS:
1. Cardinals LF Matt Holliday has reached base safely in all 38 games he has played this season.
2. New York rookie LHP Jack Leathersich has yet to allow a run in six appearances.
3. St. Louis CF Randal Grichuk is 5-for-10 with four RBIs in the last two games after going 0-for-6 with five strikeouts in the series opener.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

d'Kong76 wrote: 2. New York rookie LHP Jack Leathersich has yet to allow a run in six appearances.

... Miraculously.

[Frayed Knot]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: 2. New York rookie LHP Jack Leathersich has yet to allow a run in six appearances. ... Miraculously.

Yes, left out of that "accomplishment":
- Appearances = 6. Appearances with baserunner(s) allowed = 6
- Batters Faced = 20, Batters Retired = 12
- Inherited Runners = 4, Inherited Runners Scoring = 4

[Guest Mets � Willets Point]

Stop deBleeding, Jacob!

[Guest sharpie]

That whole pitcher bats 8th thing, yeah, forget it.

1. Kolten Wong (L) 2B
2. Matt Carpenter (L) 3B
3. Jhonny Peralta ® SS
4. Matt Adams (L) 1B
5. Randal Grichuk ® CF
6. Jason Heyward (L) RF
7. Mark Reynolds ® LF
8. Tony Cruz ® C
9. Jaime Garcia (L) P

1. Juan Lagares ® CF
2. Wilmer Flores ® SS
3. Lucas Duda (L) 1B
4. Michael Cuddyer ® LF
5. Daniel Murphy (L) 2B
6. John Mayberry Jr. ® RF
7. Eric Campbell ® 3B
8. Kevin Plawecki ® C
9. Jacob deGrom (L) P

[ashie62]

Hoping Fman brings some igt mojo!

[ashie62]

I have a good feeling today about Mayberry in RF.

[Frayed Knot]

1. Juan Lagares (R) CF 2. Wilmer Flores (R) SS 3. Lucas Duda (L) 1B 4. Michael Cuddyer (R) LF 5. Daniel Murphy (L) 2B 6. John Mayberry Jr. (R) RF 7. Eric Campbell (R) 3B 8. Kevin Plawecki (R) C 9. Jacob deGrom (L) P

Dear crew,
Out-doing last night's pathetic 4-single "attack" would be a nice start. Hell, deGrom had three singles by himself last time out so it can't be that hard.
Although considering that we're starting as a lead-off hitter a guy whose last hit I can't even remember maybe it won't be so easy after all even while facing a pitcher who hasn't pitched all year.

[Guest d'Kong76]

de3K's after a single in the first! Nice way to deStart!

[Edgy MD]

Jacob wearing the home whites with pins and whiffing three in the first. Can't ask for much more.

[Edgy MD]

Let's drop a bomb on this debut.

[Edgy MD]

Frayed Knot wrote: 1. Juan Lagares (R) CF 2. Wilmer Flores (R) SS 3. Lucas Duda (L) 1B 4. Michael Cuddyer (R) LF 5. Daniel Murphy (L) 2B 6. John Mayberry Jr. (R) RF 7. Eric Campbell (R) 3B 8. Kevin Plawecki (R) C 9. Jacob deGrom (L) P Dear crew, Out-doing last night's pathetic 4-single "attack" would be a nice start. Hell, deGrom had three singles by himself last time out so it can't be that hard. Although considering that we're starting as a lead-off hitter a guy whose last hit I can't even remember maybe it won't be so easy after all even while facing a pitcher who hasn't pitched all year.

Laggy's actually hit in five straight, just... softly.

What he's barely ever doing is walking, but he just led off of with one of those rare gemstones.

[Ceetar]

Edgy MD wrote: What he's barely ever doing is walking, but he just led off of with one of those rare gemstones.

Wilmer Flores breaks out his baserunner eraser.

[Edgy MD]

Disappointed Lags wasn't looking to run there. Molina on the bench, runs coming dearly, a leadoff baserunner, you gots to force the issue.

[Edgy MD]

Sawing off Heyward and finishing off away may work better than the breaking stuff down and in that he's been golfing to right.

[Guest d'Kong76]

de5K's through two!

[Zvon]

deGrom either striking em out or breaking their bats. I like.

I don't like Jacob going after foul pops.

[Edgy MD]

Would like to nip any "injured pitcher makes triumphant return" story lines in the bud.

IN THE BUD!!

[Zvon]

amazin. In the bad way.

[Guest d'Kong76]

Zvon wrote: I don't like Jacob going after foul pops.

My heart palpitated on that foul tri-try.

de6K's through three.

[ashie62]

Mets runner on 2nd two out.

[Edgy MD]

Call him Jan deBunt.

Take note, other Met pitchers.

[Ceetar]

Edgy MD wrote: Call him Jan deBunt. Take note, other Met pitchers.

yeah, even if you think you can hit, you should make an out. got that?

[Frayed Knot]

Three straight leadoff walks and yet our best offensive AB behind those is a Sac Bunt - and even That is a sign of progress.

[ashie62]

We are being no-hit.

Hope that works.

[Zvon]

A pitcher who can bunt. How novel.

Don't worry about pitching with no run support (or hits!) Jacob. You'll be fine.

[Frayed Knot]

Ashie62 wrote: We are being no-hit.

By a guy pitching his 1st game in 11 months.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

He May Bury them.

[Zvon]

Bases loaded,1 out. Do we score? I'm taking bets.