IGT #125: What's the Encore?

[Ceetar]

How can the Mets top last night? Let's see!

Thor vs Jerome Williams, who the Mets have already seen twice this year and scored seven earned runs in 11 innings.

That's 8 runs, five walks, 15 hits and 2 home runs over 11 innings, in which he's got a 5.73 ERA against the Mets.

[Benjamin Grimm]

My prediction: Mets 16, Phillies 7.

A strong outing by Syndergaard in Citizens Bank Park would be very welcome, but I expect he'll struggle. The way the Mets have been hitting lately gives me hope that they can overcome whatever hole Syndergaard might put them in.

[Lefty Specialist]

Where do you go from up?

I think we learned last night that getting into the Phillies bullpen is a really good idea.

[Guest d'Kong76]

NY Mets at Philadelphia
When: 7:05 PM ET, Tuesday, August 25, 2015
Where: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
SportsDirect Inc.

The New York Mets have been flexing their offensive muscle en route to extending their lead in the National League East. The Mets vie for their fifth consecutive victory overall and 10th in 11 meetings this season against the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday when the division rivals continue their four-game series at Citizens Bank Park.

Wilmer Flores belted two of his team's franchise-high eight homers and had five RBIs in Monday's series-opening 16-7 triumph for the Mets, who have recorded a staggering 49 runs in their last four games. The 24-year-old Venezuelan is 12-for-27 with 10 RBIs and as many runs scored during his six-game hitting streak, but is 0-for-5 versus Tuesday starter Jerome Williams. While New York padded its cushion to a season-high 5 1/2 games over second-place Washington, Philadelphia saw its three-game winning streak halted and fell to 21-13 since the All-Star break. The Phillies' Andres Blanco is 11-for-28 with six runs scored during his seven-game hitting streak.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), CSN Philadelphia

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Noah Syndergaard (7-6, 3.17 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Jerome Williams (4-9, 6.10)

Syndergaard has struggled mightily on the road, limping to an 0-5 mark after allowing three runs on eight hits in five innings in a no-decision against Baltimore on Wednesday. The 22-year-old looks to rebound versus Philadelphia, against which he scattered six hits in 7 1/3 frames en route to a 7-0 rout May 27. Syndergaard dropped his next two starts following that outing before posting a 5-2 mark in his last 10 starts.

After three solid starts, Williams was blitzed for eight runs on as many hits in 1 2/3 innings of a 9-7 loss to Miami on Thursday. The 33-year-old surrendered two homers and issued four walks in his short stay on the mound, but looks to rebound in his third meeting with the Mets this season. Williams struggled in his previous two appearances versus New York, allowing five runs on 10 hits in a 6-1 setback on April 15 before issuing four walks in a no-decision on May 26.

WALK-OFFS:
1. New York 2B Daniel Murphy, who homered Monday, is 10-for-23 with nine RBIs in his last five contests.
2. Philadelphia SS Freddy Galvis is 8-for-19 with four runs scored during his five-game hitting streak.
3. Mets 3B David Wright also went deep Monday, marking his 20th homer at Citizens Bank Park - the most of any visiting player.

[MFS62]

Lefty Specialist wrote: Where do you go from up?

I'm sure there's someone hanging out near your local schoolyard who will be glad to sell you something that will answer that question.

Later

[batmagadanleadoff]

[fimg=444:381lv3k3]https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7697/17198882587_83cd958ee5_o.jpg[/fimg:381lv3k3]

[Benjamin Grimm]

That picture again?????

We're doomed!

[Guest d'Kong76]

Hernandez, 2B
Galvis, SS
Herrera, CF
Megdal, 1B
Blanco, 3B
Asche, LF
Brown, RF
Ruiz, C
Williams, P

[Edgy MD]

I think I've spotted the interloper.

[Guest d'Kong76]

Just checking to see if anyone's paying attention!

Hernandez, 2B
Galvis, SS
Herrera, CF
Howard, 1B
Blanco, 3B
Asche, LF
Brown, RF
Ruiz, C
Williams, P

[Guest d'Kong76]

@cgrand3 RF
@ynscspds CF
Murphy 1B
#DavidWright 3B
Johnson 2B
Flores SS
@mconforto8 LF
d�Arnaud C
@Noahsyndergaard P

@kcmets #cpftoocool

[Edgy MD]

Me, I flip/flop Wright and Cespedes. Then I flip/flop Conforto and Johnson.

From day-to-day, I can't suss out the reasoning with regard to these lineups. From day-to-day, it mostly doesn't seem to be an issue.

[Guest sharpie]

I'm liking all of the different lineups. Keeps 'em on their toes.

Also, other than Recker there seem to be no true backup players on this team. Everyone gets several starts a week.

[TransMonk]

Sitting Granderson against the lefty yesterday was big in my book. It finally convinced me that he may know what he's doing now that he has so many parts to play with in the lineup.

[Centerfield]

Let's score 20.

[Edgy MD]

I tuned in and Ronnie is asking "How can you not, in a game like last night, knock somebody down?"

Ronnie, Cespedes got hit hard.

[Edgy MD]

Nice knowing you, Daniel Murphy.

Wear some extra armor out there.

[Edgy MD]

By the way, you've got a road trip to Baltimore and Phillie, whose dumb idea was it to send the team to Denver in between?

Who make an itinerary like that, Steve Miller?

[Edgy MD]

Murphy to his left!
Murphy to his right!
I don't care
As long as he comes tonight!

[Frayed Knot]

Early update from around the league:
3-0 good guys in Philly
2-0 Good guys in Washington
5-0 Good guys in the Bronx


The Astros top-1st was funny. Jose Altuve makes an out on the 1st pitch of the game. 10 batters later he made the 3rd out of the inning on the first pitch of the AB. Lots of fun in between.

[Guest themetfairy]

This place is a bandbox, isn't it?

[ashie62]

Noah gives up his share of knocks.

[Lefty Specialist]

Not topping last night, so far.

[Edgy MD]

Yeah, I was told this would be the third-best game of the season. What's up with that?!

[Edgy MD]

Strike two was your pitch, Davey.

[Lefty Specialist]

OK, you got into their bullpen, Mets. Now do something with the opportunity.

[Guest themetfairy]

And Thor is off the hook!

[Guest themetfairy]

[bigpurple:gq3ozh1f]Cuddles![/bigpurple:gq3ozh1f]

[Lefty Specialist]

Now, THAT'S what I'm talking about.

[Edgy MD]

[fimg=300:1rofev3q]https://julieamarxhausen.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/istock_000003149416medium.jpg[/fimg:1rofev3q] [fimg=200:1rofev3q]http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8CRmY6_JaaY/U6c-n53AcII/AAAAAAAAMQ8/vGMkQxIz0l0/s1600/duffy+dyer+mets.jpg[/fimg:1rofev3q][bigpurple:1rofev3q]![/bigpurple:1rofev3q]