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I can see it now AG: one night next week, D-Wright blasts one out of Nats Park, looks to the crowd, and yells, that's for AG/DC!

Back from an exhausting trip to Cambridge... many thanks for the complements for the KTE. dcbatgirl was pleased but said "no pictures." Sorry guys. It'll be hard to top this one next week but I'll try.

The Mets host the Washington Nationals in a two-game series on September 9 and 10. I am posting this on Sunday night as I will be taking my son back to college on Monday and Tuesday. If there is any news from this point on, this KTE will be outdated. The Mets are 8 and 4 against Washington this year. The Nationals haven�t been to Shea since last May 12-15 when they won three of four. This included an ignominious loss on Thursday afternoon, 1-0, when Jason Bergman beat Mike Pelfrey. The Nationals have been playing good ball of late, winning 8 of 9, including 2 of 3 from the Phillies last week. Tuesday�s game will match Oliver Perez and John Lannan. Oliver is 1 and 1 against the Nationals this year. On April 24, he got the loss in DC, going 5 2/3 and giving up 5 ER. He beat them on August 14, again in DC, going 6 2/3 and giving up 3 ER. Against Oliver, the only Nationals with any success are Austin Kearns and Willy Mo Pena but, alas, both are on the DL. Christian Guzman is 0 for 4. Ryan Zimmerman is 4 for 15. Lannan (LHP, from Long Beach, NY) pitched against the Mets twice this year: on April 17, he went 6 IP, one ER, in a 3-2 Mets win and on May 13, 6 IP, 4 ER, 12 H, in 6-3 Mets win. Against Lannan, Ryan Church is 3 for 7, one HR, 4 RBI; Jose Reyes is 4 for 10; and David Wright is 3 for 10 with two doubles. Wednesday�s matchup is Mike Pelrey v. Odalis Perez. Big Pelf has faced the Nationals twice times this year, and both showed signs of the greatness to come: on April 15, he went 7 innings, no ER in a 6-0 win; and in the aforementioned May 15 game, getting the loss despite going 7 2/3 innings and giving up only one ER. None of the Nationals have done much against him. Odalis Perez is 1 and 2 against the Mets in �08. On April 15, he gave 2 ER in 6 IP but the Mets won 6-0. He got the win on May 12, 4 R, 11 hits, 6 1/3 IP. On August 12, he got the loss, giving up 3 ER in 6 IP. Versus Odalis, successful are: Luis Castillo, 9 for 24 with a homerun; Carlos Beltran, 7 for 15; Jose Reyes, 7 for 10, and; David Wright is 5 for 12 with 2 HRs. On the negative side, Carlos Delgado is 1 for 12, but much of that was before he became super-human. Zzzz. This is dull. Sorry. As an attorney, my writing has gotten drier over the years. Statement of facts, points of law, argument, conclusion. Yawn. By attorney standards, I�m a riot, but as a blogger, not so much. So I turn this over to dcbatgirl. She is the owner of the Nationals season ticket group that I share in. She is such a devout Nationals fan, that she got a side job giving tours of the new ballpark. At our ticket draft, we drew Scrabble tiles for draft position and she replaced the regular W with the Nationals trademark �Curly W.� She agreed to participate in a �Q & A� with me for this KTE: You were just at Shea. What did you think? Um, I think that Mets fans are probably looking forward to moving to Citi Field. I did have a good time when I went to Shea, including picking up a souvenir baseball for my collection. Are you disappointed with the Nationals this season? If you�re asking if I wish they�d win more, sure that would be nice, but I had reasonable expectations. I�ve been to some pretty fun games, including our terrific opening night, and 3 great wins during our last home stand, when the Nats won 8 of 9. Our latest home stand included 2 wins over the Phillies. In anticipation of your thanks for these wins, �you�re welcome.� Do you think Jim Bowden and/or Manny Acta should get fired? Manny is definitely a keeper. I have only positive things to say about Manny�s positive, no-excuses approach. Thank you for giving us Manny. Jimbo is a little tougher. He is definitely not boring. I could do without some of the drama, like the July episode when Bowden mentioned during a radio interview that Chad Cordero would be non-tendered � before he spoke with Chad. Ooops! And one could look at the Nationals� record and conclude that things aren�t going so well. But with the Nationals� emphasis on rebuilding our minor league affiliates, it may be a little too soon to judge how things are going. Plus, wild Jim�s high-risk projects are definitely interesting. For example, I�m really cheering for Elijah Dukes these days, somewhat to my surprise. Nonetheless, all things considered, I probably would prefer a more polished GM. What do you think of Lastings Milledge? Lastings, Lastings, Lastings. I definitely get riled up by his miscues in the outfield and his questionable base-running decisions. I also have moments when I wonder how coachable he is. But he clearly has some talent, and I am willing to be patient for a while longer. How much longer, I�m not sure. Are you still a fan of Schneider and Church? I was always neutral on Church. Don�t love him or hate him. I don�t think he was going to realize his potential in Washington, for a variety of reasons, and I wish him well in New York. Please stop bonking him on the head, huh? I am not neutral about Schneider. I love Schneider. I special-ordered a women�s jersey to celebrate the Schneiderman. My friends used to call me Brian Schneider�s girlfriend. When Schneider was traded, my phone rang and people stopped by my office for days, just to make sure I would be okay. But I am a fickle gal. It has been pretty easy for me to transfer my love to Jesus Flores and Wil Nieves. Thank you so much for sending us Jesus! He is going to be a star. And Wil Nieves is both a great back-up catcher and hotie. One of my favorite moments all season was Wil�s walk-off homer against the Cubs. Does it drive you crazy to see and hear all us Mets fans in Nationals Park? There are Mets fans at Nationals Park? I hadn�t noticed them. Which Nationals should Mets fans be wary right now? Given last September, you should be wary of our entire plucky club. Beyond any general wariness, Elijah Dukes is an amazing talent, and on any given day you might see little Willie Harris channeling Superman. Finally, some of our readers are single. Would you date a Mets fan? Romance is a mysterious thing, so I wouldn�t rule it out. Besides, every guy has attributes and drawbacks. I don�t think I�d look for a Mets fan, but I�m pretty sure the odds of success would be higher with a Mets fan than with a Phillies fan. Good luck with the rest of your season. Except, of course, in your games on September 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, and 18. -dcbatgirl

Joe D. struck out 369 times in his 13 year career--Howard has K'd 184 times thus far this season.

EI and mlb.tv have the Mets guys.

Philadelphia Phillies Jerk Putz Schmuck Whiffer A-Hole Low Life Bad Guy SOB Douchebag Uh.... SS Jimmy Rollins CF Shane Victorino 2B Chase Utley 1B Ryan Howard RF Jayson Werth 3B Greg Dobbs LF Matt Stairs C Carlos Ruiz LHP Jamie Moyer New York Mets J. Reyes, ss Evans, lf Wright, 3b Beltran, cf Delgado, 1b Tatis, rf Easley, 2b Cancel, c Martinez, rhp Martinez vs. Phillies (lifetime, 8-5, 3.50): Jimmy Rollins .364, 2 HR, 33 AB Ryan Howard .357, 2 HR, 14 AB Jayson Werth .333, HR, 12 AB Chase Utley .318, 3 HR, 22 AB Chris Coste .200, 5 AB Pedro Feliz .200, 5 AB Carlos Ruiz .200, 5 AB Matt Stairs .182, 11 AB Greg Dobbs .167, 6 AB So Taguchi .125, 8 AB Pat Burrell .038, HR, 26 AB Shane Victorino .000, 7 AB Eric Bruntlett .000, 1 AB Moyer vs. Mets (lifetime, 7-4, 3.21): Ramon Martinez 1.000, 3 AB Fernando Tatis .667, HR, 6 AB David Wright .438, 2 HR, 32 AB Brian Schneider .400, 5 AB Carlos Delgado .397, 8 HR, 78 AB Endy Chavez .333, 6 AB Jose Reyes .314, 35 AB Damion Easley .288, HR, 52 AB Luis Castillo .286, 14 AB Ryan Church .250, 16 AB Carlos Beltran .216, 51 AB Marlon Anderson .167, 6 AB Nick Evans .000, 2 AB Argenis Reyes .000, 1 AB

From MetsBlog: Today�s game against the Phillies has been postponed due to the imminent storm. There will in fact be a day-night doubleheader tomorrow, with today�s game being rescheduled for 2:15 p.m. Tickets for today�s game will be honored at the afternoon game.

From Adam Rubin: Schmidt stirs it up Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt created a pregame stir. Here�s the Associated Press version of the story: In a pep talk via e-mail, Mike Schmidt reminded the Phillies Phillies of their big comeback to win the NL East last season and said �the Mets know you�re better than they are.� With the Phillies opening a crucial, three-game series at New York on Friday night, the Hall of Famer sent an e-mail to manager Charlie Manuel hoping to fire up the team. Manuel posted it on the inside door of the clubhouse for his players to see as they headed out for batting practice. �One pitch, one at bat, one play, one situation, think �small� and �big� things result, tough at-bats, lots of walks, stay up the middle with men on base, whatever it takes to �keep the line moving� on offense, 27 outs on defense, the Mets know you�re better than they are,� Schmidt said in the letter. �They remember last year. You guys are never out of a game. Welcome the challenge that confronts you this weekend. You are the stars. Good luck. #20.� Injured closer Billy Wagner of the Mets didn�t have much to say in response, except: �Did Gary Carter send us one?� Schmidt, now a special instructor in spring training for the Phillies, was a standout third baseman with Philadelphia from 1972-89. Last season, the Mets held a seven-game cushion with 17 to play but let Philadelphia rally past them in one of the worst collapses in baseball history. Manuel thought Schmidt�s message was a good one for his team, which began the night trailing first-place New York by three games. �I liked it. Basically, he wanted me to put it up on the board and I wanted the guys to see it,� Manuel said. �I have a lot of respect for Mike and I love talking baseball with him. It seems like we�re kind of on the same page when we talk.� Manuel said he wasn�t worried about Schmidt�s letter serving as bulletin board material for the Mets once they heard about it. And he doesn�t necessarily agree that New York thinks the Phillies are the better team. After all, he pointed out, the Mets had won 10 of 15 meetings between the rivals this year going into Friday night�after Philadelphia won the season series 12-6 last year by taking the final eight matchups. �I think that was him really sending us a message of how much he likes us and how much he�s pulling for us to win. That�s what I got in that message,� Manuel said. �I think our guys, especially the ones that were here last year and the veteran guys on our team, I think they know what we have to do and what�s at stake. And I think we know how we�re supposed to handle it. �I think the entire message was very good. I think he was reminding them how good he thinks they are.�

Phillies TV keeps showing Hillary Swank, Mets Loving Million Dollar Big Shot

Benjamin Grimm nails everything ("it's like I have a twin!"). The start time of World Series games is pathetic. Two-thirds of the country is on east coast time but the games, because they start between 8:20 and 8:40, and there are 2 1/2 minutes between each half-inning for commercials, last past 11. Oh, and if I could, I would like to bring Bob Murphy back.

Already working on mine for Tuesday's series.

MGIM: "gone all Glavine"--Love it! A new baseball expression, meaning "giving up multiple runs in the first inning (but not being devastated or disappointed about it)."

WOW!!!

http://mlb.mlb.com/documents/2008/08/27/3376107/1/2008_AFL_Rosters.pdf (Note the misspelling of Binghamton.) He's on the Peoria roster. It doesn't say "2B" but he's listed as an infielder and he moved to 2B before his call-up. (Cerrone said this--it's not an original thought.) http://www.metsblog.com/2008/09/02/news-mets-in-the-arizona-fall-league/

FK: Thanks. I fixed the LoHud Mets Blog's error... perhaps the reporter was thinking of Murphy's assignment to the Arizona Fall League where he will play 2B.

New York Mets (78-61): 7 J. Reyes, SS 28 Murphy, LF 5 Wright, 3B 21 Delgado, 1B 15 Beltran, CF 19 Church, RF 1 Castillo, 2B 23 Schneider, C 46 Perez, LHP Milwaukee Brewers (80-58): 23 Weeks, 2B 7 Hardy, SS 33 Kapler, CF 8 Braun, LF 1 Hart, RF 11 Rivera, 1B 2 Hall, 3B 18 Kendall, C 31 Bush, RHP Prince Fielder sits. (Corrected.)

YES!!! Good night folks.

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: What do you say we take advantage of this break. That's a fine idea. (And not just because I have to be up in 6 hours.)

Nicely done, Daniel. Did you see that the Mets will have Murphy playing in the Arizona Fall League as a 2B?

Reyes' relay throw on the DP was comically slow--I think he could have run to 1st and beat Fielder there.

SteveJRogers wrote: ="bmfc1"]I only have the Brewers TV and they thought it was a bad call at 2d. What did SNY say? Harry Coyle...errr Bob Ueker? Or is he just radio? Brian Anderson, who isn't bad, with Bill Schroeder.

I only have the Brewers TV and they thought it was a bad call at 2d. What did SNY say?

Ump! Get out of the way when Carlos crosses home!

The Media Guide says that Niese is 6-4. No way!

New York Mets: J. Reyes, ss Evans, lf Wright, 3b Beltran, cf Delgado, 1b Tatis, rf Easley, 2b Cancel, c Niese, lhp Milwaukee Brewers: 2B Rickie Weeks SS J.J. Hardy LF Ryan Braun 1B Prince Fielder RF Corey Hart CF Mike Cameron 3B Bill Hall C Jason Kendall LHP Manny Parra Parra vs. Mets (lifetime, 0-1, 3.48): Damion Easley 1.000, 2 AB Ryan Church .500, 2 AB Jose Reyes .333, 6 AB David Wright .250, 4 AB Carlso Delgado .200, 5 AB Luis Castillo .000, 3 AB Carlos Beltran .000, 1 AB Niese vs. Brewers: (never faced)