PREGAME: Mets @ Phillies

post from Dom D's Mets Fan Blog on 03 July 2009 04:01:49 PM. © Dom D's Mets Fan Blog

The New York Mets (39-39) will travel to Philadelphia to take on the Phillies (39-37) in the opener of a weekend series that is sure to be a hit. Livan Hernandez (5-3, 4.04) will make the start for the Mets, and he is coming off a nice outing against the Yankees. Rodrigo Lopez (0-0, 0.00) will take the mound for the Phillies, pitching in the Major Leagues for the first time since 2007.

Game time is 7:05 PM EST, and will be broadcast locally on SNY. Follow live online via MLB.TV or MLB.com's Gameday application.

Tonight's LineupAlex Cora, ssDaniel Murphy, 1bDavid Wright, 3bGary Sheffield, rfRyan Church, cfFernando Tatis, 2bNick Evans, lfBrian Schneider, cLivan Hernandez, sp
According to the Elias Sports Bureau (courtesy of Michael Baron at Metsblog.com), tonights marks only the second time in Mets franchise history that they have played in three different cities in three days (Milwaukee, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia). The last time it happened was July 23-25 in 1995 when the Mets played in Colorado, Chicago, and St. Louis. The Mets were 0-3 during that stretch.

I think it is very interesting how this team leads the league in many offensive categories, yet remains at .500. Some people claim it is because they leave a large amount of runners on base, but the last time I checked, the Mets were also among the top teams in the league hitting with RISP. Personally, I think it is a combination of untimely bad pitching and bad hitting, as this team seems to click at the wrong times.

What do I mean by that? For instance, they may score 5 or 6 runs in a game (with a depleted offense), yet the pitching will give up 5 or 6 and another couple of runs will score due to mental/physical errors. If they Mets had been playing solid, fundamental baseball this last month, they'd probably be in first place by three or four games given the way the Phillies have fallen through the floor.

Anyway, these two teams always get up to face each other, and with two of three games needing extra frames in their last series in New York, the fourth of July weekend may play host to some exciting baseball (whether the Mets win or lose).

As always, LGM!

Read The Full Article:
http://www.ddmetsfanblog.com/2009/07/pregame-mets-phillies.html

Digg this

Quentin to begin rehab at Triple-A (AP)

post from MLB News Blog on 03 July 2009 03:38:58 PM. © MLB News Blog

Chicago White Sox outfielder Carlos Quentin, on the disabled list since May 29, will begin a rehabilitation assignment at Triple-A Charlotte. Quentin, who had 36 home runs and 100 RBIs last season in his first year with Chicago, has been sidelined with plantar fasciitis, a painful foot condition. He hasn't played since May 25.

Read The Full Article:
http://www.mlbnewsblog.com/2009/07/03/quentin-to-begin-rehab-at-triple-a-ap/

Digg this

Ramirez refuses to discuss steroids (AP)

post from MLB News Blog on 03 July 2009 03:04:43 PM. © MLB News Blog

Manny Ramirez returned to the big leagues and apologized to fans and his teammates. He refused to talk about steroids, though. The slugger's 50-game suspension for violating baseball's drug policy ended Friday and he was set to play for the Los Angeles Dodgers against the San Diego Padres. "Showtime!" he said as he walked into [...]

Read The Full Article:
http://www.mlbnewsblog.com/2009/07/03/ramirez-refuses-to-discuss-steroids-ap/

Digg this

BtB Poor Man's Projected Season Standings as of
July 3, 2009

post from Beyond the Box Score on 03 July 2009 03:00:00 PM. © Beyond the Box Score

More photos » by Nam Y Huh - AP Woo! Where are we heading? Up the standings? That's right! (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) [...]

Read The Full Article:
http://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/2009/7/3/936839/btb-poor-mans-projected-season

Digg this

Royals Links: Post Rany Jazayerli Ban Edition

post from Royals Review on 03 July 2009 02:51:00 PM. © Royals Review

I'm hoping Mellinger finds enough background info to write something about the Rany Jazayerli Ban. Nothing so far however. Meanwhile, in Omaha, Alex Gordon mania rages.

Read The Full Article:
http://www.royalsreview.com/2009/7/3/937074/royals-links-post-rany-jazayerli

Digg this

Pirates C Doumit starts rehab in minors (AP)

post from MLB News Blog on 03 July 2009 02:38:46 PM. © MLB News Blog

Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Ryan Doumit caught five innings of a Gulf Coast League game Friday, the first time he has played since breaking his right wrist April 19. Doumit was hitless in two at-bats with a walk in the first of two scheduled appearances for rookie league Bradenton. "I'll play one more game here (Saturday), [...]

Read The Full Article:
http://www.mlbnewsblog.com/2009/07/03/pirates-c-doumit-starts-rehab-in-minors-ap/

Digg this

Dice-K to begin strength program in Fla. (AP)

post from MLB News Blog on 03 July 2009 02:38:46 PM. © MLB News Blog

Boston right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka will head to Florida on Monday to begin a spring training-like strengthening program that the Red Sox hope will get him back to the big leagues later this season. Matsuzaka was 1-5 with an 8.23 ERA and an opponents' batting average of .378 before going on the disabled list June 21.

Read The Full Article:
http://www.mlbnewsblog.com/2009/07/03/dice-k-to-begin-strength-program-in-fla-ap/

Digg this

Twins Target Field set to open April 12 (AP)

Target Field has a target date. Outdoor baseball is tentatively set to return to Minneapolis on April 12 when the Minnesota Twins play their 2010 home opener against the Boston Red Sox. The date was contained in a draft schedule for next season that recently was sent to teams and revealed Friday to The Associated [...]

Read The Full Article:
http://www.mlbnewsblog.com/2009/07/03/twins-target-field-set-to-open-april-12-ap/

Digg this

Edwin Up Richar Out

Richar tore his labrum and is on the 15 day DL but I imagine that he is out for the year and Edwin has been reinstated from the 60 day DL just in time for a huge series against the Cardinals. He is a big bat that we have been lacking. We need him to come up and play like good Edwin and not bad Edwin. How much of an effect on the line up do you guys think that we will have.

Read The Full Article:
http://www.redreporter.com/2009/7/3/937050/edwin-up-richar-out

Digg this

Bases-loaded walk in 10th gives Cubs win (AP)

Jake Fox drew a bases-loaded walk off Mike DiFelice to force in the winning run with two outs in the 10th inning, and the Chicago Cubs beat the Milwaukee Brewers 2-1 on Friday. Ryan Theriot singled off second baseman Craig Counsell's glove with one out in the 10th and went to second on a wild [...]

Read The Full Article:
http://www.mlbnewsblog.com/2009/07/03/bases-loaded-walk-in-10th-gives-cubs-win-ap
/

Digg this