IGT 06/15: PIT@NYM, Locke@Syndergaard

[Edgy MD]

This Locke guy has an ERA 2.69 times higher than Syndergaard's. But even at home, that scarcely adds up to even money, the way the Mets are playing. Plus, at least a few folks are going to make a Thor vs. Lo©ki pun. Ugh.

Anyhow, new things need to be discovered. Corners must be turned. Batting coaches must adjust even the most foundational of their philosophies.

They are literally making their manager sick. Eventually they will adjust, and find something that works, because everybody always does. The question is whether it will be in time. You know when a good to adjust is? Tomorrow. That's a good day.

[Guest d'Kong76]

Pittsburgh at NY Mets
When: 7:10 PM ET, Wednesday, June 15, 2016
Where: Citi Field, New York City, New York
SportsDirect Inc.

The New York Mets� problems on offense reached a low on Tuesday, when Pittsburgh rookie Jameson Taillon took a no-hitter into the seventh inning in his second career start. The Mets will try to bounce back from that shutout loss and end a three-game slide when they host the Pirates in the second of a three-game series on Wednesday.

New York has dropped 10 of its last 16 games and is scoring an average of 2.7 runs in that span, including two or fewer nine times. The Mets scraped out three hits in Tuesday�s 4-0 setback and Michael Conforto, who is limited to pinch hitting after receiving a cortisone injection in his ailing left wrist, struck out in his lone plate appearance. The Pirates aren�t exactly lighting up the scoreboard but did manage to snap a five-game slide with Tuesday�s triumph. Pittsburgh (33-31) has dropped 12 of its last 17 to flirt with the .500 mark but three of the five wins in that span have come over New York.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates LH Jeff Locke (5-4, 5.38 ERA) vs. Mets RH Noah Syndergaard (6-2, 2.00)

The Pittsburgh rotation took a major hit when ace Gerrit Cole was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday, and some consistency from Locke would certainly help the team bridge the gap to Cole�s return. Locke tossed a three-hit shutout at Miami on May 30 and followed it up with seven strong innings in a win over the Los Angeles Angels on June 4 but was demolished for 11 runs on 11 hits and three walks in 4 2/3 innings at Colorado on Thursday. The New Hampshire native is looking for his first win against New York after posting a 0-1 mark with a 4.20 ERA in his first three chances.

Syndergaard went up against the Pirates last Wednesday and ran his streak of appearances allowing two or fewer earned runs to eight by scattering two on seven hits over six innings in a no decision. The 23-year-old Texan was not quite as sharp as usual last time out and ended up walking more than one (two) for the first time since May 6. Syndergaard is searching for his first win against Pittsburgh and is 2-1 with a 1.96 ERA at home this season.

WALK-OFFS:
1. Mets 3B David Wright, who is on the DL with a herniated disc in his neck, is reportedly considering surgery.
2. Pirates LF Starling Marte is 10-for-20 over the last five games and homered on Tuesday.
3. New York CF Juan Lagares (tooth) sat out Tuesday�s game and is day-to-day.

[Guest Mets Guy in Michigan]

Tooth?

Do the Mets not have a dentist for these guys?

[Frayed Knot]

Mets Guy in Michigan wrote: Do the Mets not have a dentist for these guys?

They do, but he's on the DL.

[Frayed Knot]

LAGARES - CF
GRANDERSON - RF
CESPEDES - LF
CABRERA - SS
FLORES - 3B
LONEY - 1B
REYNOLDS - 2B
RIVERA - C
SYNDERGAARD - P

[Guest d'Kong76]

Jaso, 1B
Polanco, RF
McCutchen, CF
Kang, 3B
Marte, LF
Harrison, 2B
Mercer, SS
Kratz, C
Locke, P

[Edgy MD]

I'd like to congratulate Asdrubal Cabrera, our maligned opening day #7 hitter for his graduation to the cleanup slot. As you know, appearing in a Mets game as a cleanup hitter entitles you to $50 in gift certificates redeemable at your local Getty filling station. Getty � it's something to think about.

[Lefty Specialist]

So, three hits or two tonight?

[Centerfield]

Lagares scratched. Thumb.

Walker likely not available.

[Guest d'Kong76]

Tooth, thumb, what's next? Testicle?

[Zvon]

Thor's slider: (I was going to say to lefties, but it's getting righties too) Devastating tonight. It'll find the hole in any lefty batter's swing. Booth says he's amped.

Grandy and Cabrera stroke back2back singles to start the home half. Asdrubal batting 2nd. No out.

[Lefty Specialist]

NOOOOOOOO!!!! Bases loaded, no out!!!!! Doomed!

[Zvon]

Yoenis draws a walk. Bases totally royal blue. No out. Flores. Fly gets a run Slo-Mo.

Or that. An infield scribbler gets a run home. Flores out @ 1st.

1-0 Mets

Edited June 15, 2016 by Guest

[Frayed Knot]

A MIGHTY RBI HIT!!!

And, better yet, it reduces the odds of the GiDP (but not of the IF pop-up)

[Zvon]

I'm watching you Matt Reynolds. I'm going to say things about you tonight. Make it be nice stuff.

[Lefty Specialist]

Nice Things!

[Frayed Knot]

Bases-loaded w/none out ... AND WE SCORED MORE THAN ZERO!!!!!

[Guest cooby]

Yahoo!

[Frayed Knot]

OK Syndegaard, there are your runs, make them stand up and don't expect any more.

[Zvon]

Matt Reynolds: Your mother wears really nice expensive and stylish boots!

Delivers a 2 RBI double over third & down the line.

3-0 New York.

[Zvon]

If they keep Plawecki up and send down Rivera on lil d's return I will be, yes, once again, devastated. Plaw needs some seasoning.

[Edgy MD]

Screw you, malaise!!

[Zvon]

Kelly with a devastating drive for a solo kaBOOMER!

[Guest Mets Guy in Michigan]

Who are these people scoring runs and what have they done with the Mets?

[Zvon]

4-0 Metropolitans.

Mets have 6 hits after 4 full, the Buccos have one lone hit they managed in the first inning.

[Ceetar]

Zvon wrote: 4-0 Metropolitans. Mets have 6 hits after 4 full, the Buccos have one lone hit they managed in the first inning.

leading off at that. 15 straight set down.

[Zvon]

Ceetar wrote: Zvon wrote: 4-0 Metropolitans. Mets have 6 hits after 4 full, the Buccos have one lone hit they managed in the first inning. leading off at that. 15 straight set down.

Yea, first pitch. Ha, Gary just said it. Noah's slider was nasty early and now his change up is killing.

[Frayed Knot]

"Cut me Mick"

[Edgy MD]

Way to go the other way tonight, FWilmer.

[Zvon]

Flores with the RBI dinker! (I'm just noticing now that he's batting clean-up, oy)

Yea, keep that uni clean Cespedes!


5-0 Metsies