>>>Opening Day IGT 3/29/18<<<

[Benjamin Grimm]

I don't think it would take a miracle for Conforto to be playing on Opening Day, but I expect his return is more likely for late April.

[Centerfield]

What I like about that lineup, illustrated as such, is that it reminds us that our incumbent 2B has posted OPS's of .788 and .795. He's hit 16 and 18 HR's respectively, on a part time basis. And he's only 26.

I am all for upgrading this offense, especially if it costs only money. But before we start giving away valuable chips in a trade for Cesar Hernandes, let's make sure we are actually upgrading first.

[Edgy MD]

If that's the Mets 4-5-6 on Opening Day, then we are f'd and being f'd.

Well, it's what opening day looks like now. But it's likely not what they'll look like through the season, f'd or not.

Three dudes look to open on the DL: Conforto, Rivera, and Wright. The first will likely be available within the first month, the second perhaps in the second month, the third, um ...

[Ceetar]

Edgy MD wrote: With Conforto himself downplaying Opening Day hopes less than a week ago, I think it's a smarter assumption that he'll be out. The lineup certainly matches up with the Cards a lot better with Conforto in the cleanup spot and Smitty knocked down to sixth.

Well he hadn't even started the next step yet anyway, it was just the company line. was 4-6 months if I recall, and I think that took him to mid March? Of course there could be minor setbacks but it just seems they're playing it slow until they have more info and know how he's feeling and how full a Spring he gets. But Opening Day is outside the recovery window.

[Lefty Specialist]

That lineup has '3-1 loss' written all over it.

[Edgy MD]

Except it's the Mets on Opening Day. Intagibility!

[Edgy MD]

OK, Cards, how do you like these cards?

1. Wong, 2b
2. Carpenter, 1b
3. Ozuna, lf
4. Pham, cf
5. Fowler, rf
6. DeJong, ss
7. Gyorko, 3b
8. Molina, c
9. C. Martinez, sp

1. Nimmo, cf
2. Cabrera, 3b
3. Céspedes, lf
4. Bruce, rf
5. Flores, 2b
6. Smith, 1b
7. d'Arnaud, c
8. Rosario, ss
9. deGrom, sp

	[fimg=200]http://offload.uni.watch/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/13094922/Screen-shot-2015-07-15-at-3.12.33-PM.png[/fimg]

[Edgy MD]

This shouldn't be that big a deal. Gonzalez falls on his face and after a month he's gone. Or maybe he becomes a pinch-hitter and if he continues to hack, is gone after a second month.

I'm still treating it like a grave choice. Maybe the plan all along is to treat him as a backup. I don't know, but until I hear otherwise, I think the Mets have bumped him to the top.

1. Wong, 2b
2. Carpenter, 1b
3. Ozuna, lf
4. Pham, cf
5. Fowler, rf
6. DeJong, ss
7. Gyorko, 3b
8. Molina, c
9. C. Martinez, sp

1. Nimmo, cf
2. Cabrera, 3b
3. Céspedes, lf
4. Bruce, rf
5. Flores, 2b
6. Gonzalez, 1b
7. d'Arnaud, c
8. Rosario, ss
9. deGrom, sp

	[fimg=200]http://offload.uni.watch/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/13094922/Screen-shot-2015-07-15-at-3.12.33-PM.png[/fimg]

[Chad ochoseis]

That's not really a scary looking lineup on the Cardinals' side, either.

[Edgy MD]

I like how Fredbird's tipping his pitches and Mister Met knows it.

[Edgy MD]

I don't know if this is the opening day lineup, but it's weird. Reyes over Flores is certainly a stronger choice in theory at second. But the lineup doesn't particularly seem to shake out stronger. Not ideally, anyhow. The manager is perhaps tempted to shoehorn Reyes into his old leadoff position, dropping Nimmo or Cabrera into the middle of the lineup. I chose Cabrera, but neither is the way you really want it.

Maybe things may line up better if and when another infielder comes along, but I certainly prefer keeping Nimmo up top as long as he is in the lineup.

1. Wong, 2b
2. Carpenter, 1b
3. Ozuna, lf
4. Pham, cf
5. Fowler, rf
6. DeJong, ss
7. Gyorko, 3b
8. Molina, c
9. C. Martinez, sp

1. Reyes, 2b
2. Nimmo, cf
3. Céspedes, lf
4. Bruce, rf
5. Cabrera, 3b
6. Gonzalez, 1b
7. d'Arnaud, c
8. Rosario, ss
9. deGrom, sp

	[fimg=200]http://offload.uni.watch/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/13094922/Screen-shot-2015-07-15-at-3.12.33-PM.png[/fimg]

Maybe d'Arnaud tears it up in the spring, and he's the #5 batter, with Nimmo and Cabrera at the top of the lineup and Reyes seventh. I can work with that.

If the Cardinals signed Dave Kingman to play first, they could have a DeJong to Wong to Kong double-play.

[MFS62]

Edgy MD wrote: If the Cardinals signed Dave Kingman to play first, they could have a DeJong to Wong to Kong double-play.

Bring back the BOC!

Later

[ashie62]

I would not be surprised if Plawecki works his way into the day one lineup.

[ashie62]

MFS62 wrote: Edgy MD wrote: If the Cardinals signed Dave Kingman to play first, they could have a DeJong to Wong to Kong double-play. Bring back the BOC! Later

Wang 2 Clang

[Fman99]

That's what the wang is for, is to clang. If not that, then what else, I ask?

[Guest d'Kong76]

Less than 60 days away, got my ticket this afternoon...

[Ceetar]

d'Kong76 wrote: Less than 60 days away, got my ticket this afternoon...

i'm gonna wait last minute until it's cheaper.

you can find me at the new Mikkeller NYC. Not bringing the little one specifically so I can explore.

[Guest d'Kong76]

Ceetar wrote: you can find me at the new Mikkeller NYC. Not bringing the little one specifically so I can explore.

I forgot about that new place! Don't forget tailgate party first though.

[Ceetar]

d'Kong76 wrote: Ceetar wrote: you can find me at the new Mikkeller NYC. Not bringing the little one specifically so I can explore. I forgot about that new place! Don't forget tailgate party first though.

I might even have stealth bottles of my 'We didn't get Elvis Andrus' Hefeweizen. (I'm working on the name.)

[Edgy MD]

Hey, it looks like a lineup, man.

1. Wong, 2b
2. Carpenter, 1b
3. Ozuna, lf
4. Pham, cf
5. Fowler, rf
6. DeJong, ss
7. Gyorko, 3b
8. Molina, c
9. C. Martinez, sp

1. Nimmo, cf
2. Cabrera, 2b
3. Céspedes, lf
4. Bruce, rf
5. Frazier, 3b
6. Gonzalez, 1b
7. d'Arnaud, c
8. Rosario, ss
9. deGrom, sp

	[fimg=200]http://offload.uni.watch/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/13094922/Screen-shot-2015-07-15-at-3.12.33-PM.png[/fimg]

[Lefty Specialist]

Getting better, anyway.

[Centerfield]

Hey, it looks like a lineup, man. Wong, 2b Carpenter, 1b Ozuna, lf Pham, cf Fowler, rf DeJong, ss Gyorko, 3b Molina, c C. Martinez, sp Nimmo, cf Cabrera, 2b Céspedes, lf Bruce, rf Frazier, 3b Gonzalez, 1b d'Arnaud, c Rosario, ss deGrom, sp [fimg=200]http://offload.uni.watch/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/13094922/Screen-shot-2015-07-15-at-3.12.33-PM.png[/fimg]

Four hitters in the Nationals lineup put but better numbers than everyone in our lineup. Including Cespedes. We needed to do more.

[Edgy MD]

updated to reflect this whole Bat Céspedes Second movement that seems to be afoot.

1. Wong, 2b
2. Carpenter, 1b
3. Ozuna, lf
4. Pham, cf
5. Fowler, rf
6. DeJong, ss
7. Gyorko, 3b
8. Molina, c
9. C. Martinez, sp

1. Nimmo, cf
2. Céspedes, lf
3. Bruce, rf
4. Frazier, 3b
5. Gonzalez, 1b
6. Cabrera, 2b
7. d'Arnaud, c
8. Rosario, ss
9. deGrom, sp

	[fimg=200]http://offload.uni.watch/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/13094922/Screen-shot-2015-07-15-at-3.12.33-PM.png[/fimg]

How do you feel about that movement, by the way?

[dgwphotography]

I think it's safe to swap out deGrom for Thor

[Edgy MD]

My bread's still on deG.

[Fman99]

Sorely tempted to take personal time and come down for the game. At the very least I'll be working from home and watching while I work, and helping to fill out the IGT.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I'm taking a personal day from work so I can watch the game without distraction.

One of the reasons I don't watch spring training games is because I enjoy having the first game I watch each year being one that counts.

[Lefty Specialist]

Going to Game 2, because:

1) Plenty of good seats available
2) It's a Gay Dame and there are so few of those
3) It's our anniversary so we'll celebrate in style with melted ice cream in plastic helmets
4) Build-a-Bear Teddy Giveaway Day!
5) We'll see either deGrom (I get to wear my jersey) or Thor (she gets to wear her jersey)
6) Allows us to have an excuse for missing Passover dinner with her relatives

#6 is the most important reason.

[seawolf17]

Lefty Specialist wrote: Going to Game 2, because: 1) Plenty of good seats available 2) It's a Gay Dame and there are so few of those 3) It's our anniversary so we'll celebrate in style with melted ice cream in plastic helmets 4) Build-a-Bear Teddy Giveaway Day! 5) We'll see either deGrom (I get to wear my jersey) or Thor (she gets to wear her jersey) 6) Allows us to have an excuse for missing Passover dinner with her relatives #6 is the most important reason.

Bingo. #6 Same reason I'm going on Sunday. (And #1, #2, #4, and #5 are the reasons I'm Saturday too, for what it's worth.)

[Benjamin Grimm]

I wouldn't be terribly surprised if the Game Two starter was Harvey or Vargas.