IGT Sun 9/27 - begin Mission: Home Field Advantage

[Guest Mets � Willets Point]

The 2015 NL East Champions conclude thir four-games series with the Reds with the possibility of a series sweep and the goal of maintaining their lead over the Dodgers for second-best NL division champion.

Jacob deGrom (13-8, 2.64) takes his turn on the mound for the Mets.
The Reds send out Keyvius Sampson (2-5, 6.45) to try and contain the once again potent Mets offense.

[Guest d'Kong76]

GAME: New York Mets (88-67) at Cincinnati Reds (63-91)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, September 27 - 1:10 PM EST
WHERE: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, Ohio
LINE: N/A TOTAL: N/A
Covers Media Group, Ltd.

If the New York Mets couldn�t clinch the National League East for the first time since 2006 at Citi Field, it was fitting that it happened at the venue that probably feels like their second home - Great American Ball Park. The Mets, who ended a nine-year playoff drought with a 10-2 rout on Saturday, seek their 11th straight road victory and look to sweep the season series from the Reds one day later when the teams complete a four-game set in Cincinnati.

New York (88-67) improved to 26-15 all-time at Great American Ball Park following Saturday�s triumph, giving the newly-crowned NL East champions their seventh straight win over the Reds while also setting the franchise record for the longest road winning streak. The Mets have been surging on the road for more than a month, however, winning 18 of their last 20 such contests. Cincinnati (63-91) has dropped seven in a row to fall into last place in the NL Central and is already on the verge of one of the worst seasons in franchise history as seven of its final eight games are against teams that have already qualified for the postseason. The Reds have been outscored 28-11 this weekend and 39-15 in the six meetings overall this season.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, SNY (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Jacob deGrom (13-8, 2.64 ERA) vs. Reds RH Keyvius Sampson (2-5, 6.45)

Having already eclipsed his career high in innings, deGrom will return to the mound for the first time in 12 days in an effort to improve on his 1-1 record and lower his 5.50 ERA and 1.44 WHIP in three September turns. The Stetson product was tagged for a career-high tying six earned runs on 10 hits in five frames against Miami Sept. 15, marking the second time in five outings he allowed at least that many earned runs. The 27-year-old deGrom, who has never faced Cincinnati, is 7-4 with a 3.20 ERA in 14 road starts this season.

Sampson halted a three-start losing streak with a no-decision on Tuesday in St. Louis after yielding one run on four hits and three walks over 5 1/3 innings. The 24-year-old rookie is winless in seven turns since going 2-1 with a 3.18 ERA in his first four career appearances (three starts) and has not logged a quality start in any of his last eight trips to the mound. Sampson has struggled mightily at home (0-4, 8.31) and will attempt to pick up his first career victory at Great American Ball Park when he squares off with the Mets for the first time.

WALK-OFFS:
1. The Mets have scored three or more runs in a league-record tying 30 straight road games, matching the mark set by the 1912 New York Giants.
2. Cincinnati 1B Joey Votto has reached base in 43 consecutive games, two shy of matching the best mark in the majors this season and five short of the team mark set by Pete Rose in 1978.
3. New York 1B Lucas Duda has reached base safely in 11 of his last 17 plate appearances, recording three homers, three doubles, five walks and 12 RBIs over that stretch.

[Guest Rockin' Doc]

I have a feeling that at least for todays game, the Mets line up may not look quite as formidable as it did the last few games. After the emotional celebration yesterday, I think a few regulars may get a day off. Of course, the Mets now have the ability to insert Conforto, Johnson, Legares, and possibly Nieuwenhuis (Cuddyer) for a game without the offense falling apart. It's great to have depth to give the team options.

[Guest d'Kong76]

Rockin' Doc wrote: I have a feeling that at least for todays game, the Mets line up may not look quite as formidable as it did the last few games. After the emotional celebration yesterday, I think a few regulars may get a day off.

The hungover squad going for the sweep!!

[Ceetar]

Juan Lagares - CF
Kelly Johnson - SS
Michael Conforto - LF
Kevin Plawecki - C
Kirk Nieuwenhuis - RF
Eric Campbell - 3B
Dilson Herrera - 2B
Anthony Recker - 1B
Jacob deGrom - RHP

[Benjamin Grimm]

Yeesh!

[Guest d'Kong76]

Sparkling wine and beer is a bad combo most times!

[Frayed Knot]

[youtube:36xhm7m9]ts9-4jbFWGg[/youtube:36xhm7m9]

As good an excuse as any to play this one.

Edited September 27, 2015 by Guest

[Lefty Specialist]

Ceetar wrote: Juan Lagares - CF Kelly Johnson - SS Michael Conforto - LF Kevin Plawecki - C Kirk Nieuwenhuis - RF Eric Campbell - 3B Dilson Herrera - 2B Anthony Recker - 1B Jacob deGrom - RHP

Boy, deGrom better strike out 27 today. I've seen better lineups in the first week of spring training.

[MFS62]

Doesn't TC realize there's still a chase for the home field advantage in the playoffs?
How drunk did he get last night?

Later

[Frayed Knot]

Lefty Specialist wrote: I've seen better lineups in the first week of spring training.

And I think we may have seen worse ones in May.

[Chad ochoseis]

Frayed Knot wrote: And I think we may have seen worse ones in May.

Indeed. Better Plawecki in the cleanup spot than Mayberry.

And, sure, give the regulars a day off before pushing for home field advantage. And if DeGrom gets pulled after 75 pitches, I won't complain much at all.

[Benjamin Grimm]

If they keep the game close, Terry has a hell of a selection of pinch hitters to choose from late in the game.

[Zvon]

1-0 Mets. I don't know how yet but that's nice to see.

Lets see. Gary said Conforto but my summary tab says Kelly Johnson hit an RBI double.

[Guest themetfairy]

My box score says Conforto knocked Johnson in.

[Zvon]

Thank you TMF.

I saw Herrera go kaBOOM with my own eyes

3-0 Mets.

[Lefty Specialist]

deGrom goes ka-plink for two runs. 5-0 and a call to the Reds bullpen.

[Zvon]

The Turtles Happy Together does not play well on a Hammond Organ.

[Guest Mets Guy in Michigan]

Herrera says, "Hey, don't forget I'm the All-Star second baseman of the future."

Booth conversation saying that Niese told Terry he'll happy be a reliever for the postseason and will start working out of the pen this week.

[Guest Rockin' Doc]

Wow, I can't believe that deGrom's soft flare to left field wasn't caught to end the inning. I guess that is what happens when you have a utility infielder playing the outfield. DeJesus just gave up on the ball and played it on the hop. It appeared he could have easily got to the ball for a rather routine catch, but just didn't seem to realize it.

The Mets are happy to accept the Reds generosity and add to their lead. I wonder who is available from the bu;llpen today. If the starting line up is any indication I'm expecting it to be the Stauffer, Verrett, Parnell, O'Flaherty, etc. while Reed, Clippard, Robles, and Familia spend the day lounging.

[Guest Mets Guy in Michigan]

Confession: I bought one of those celebration caps on MLB.com yesterday. I had a $10 gift card, so it wasn't as stupidly expensive as usual.

I'm usual hostile to such things, but these looked kinda cool. And I tend to like '47 caps.

[Centerfield]

Ceetar wrote: Juan Lagares - CF Kelly Johnson - SS Michael Conforto - LF Kevin Plawecki - C Kirk Nieuwenhuis - RF Eric Campbell - 3B Dilson Herrera - 2B Anthony Recker - 1B Jacob deGrom - RHP

I wish Terry had batted Campbell 4th. Just for old times' sake.

[Zvon]

That must be De Jesus's infield glove he's wearing out there. Flubs an easy fly.
Then Phillips makes a great stop and the ball squiggles from his glove to the OF grass.

7-0 N.L. EAST CHAMPS

[Lefty Specialist]

Boy, the Reds really look like a team that has checked out.

[Lefty Specialist]

Plaweckiboom!

[Zvon]

Plawecki tells me to shove Recker somewhere naughty with a solo kaBOOM.

8-0 Mets

[Frayed Knot]

This game is disappointing.
Freddie promised us meaning full games in September and this game has absolutely no meaning.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Mets Guy in Michigan wrote: I'm usual hostile to such things, but these looked kinda cool. And I tend to like '47 caps.

I kinda liked them too. But I'm not buying anything that says "N.L. East Champs" while there's still a chance for the Mets to upgrade their title.

[Zvon]

Mets Guy in Michigan wrote: Confession: I bought one of those celebration caps on MLB.com yesterday. I had a $10 gift card, so it wasn't as stupidly expensive as usual. I'm usual hostile to such things, but these looked kinda cool. And I tend to like '47 caps.

Which one?

[fimg=200]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bvvZczzqHjY/Vgg-089_YTI/AAAAAAAAf9o/kKieIqXtKw8/s500-Ic42/pMLB2-22265144dt.jpg[/fimg][fimg=200]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-d63O5znp6G8/Vgg-02cWlvI/AAAAAAAAf9s/HgNtPJyEE1c/s500-Ic42/pMLB2-22294328dt.jpg[/fimg]

[Zvon]

Frayed Knot wrote: This game is disappointing. Freddie promised us meaning full games in September and this game has absolutely no meaning.