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I. The Ramblings
It’s the final road series of 2009 for the Mets as they visit Nationals Park in Washington, DC for a three-game series. We know that the games are meaningless as they won’t affect the standings, but we now know that the players , or at least one particular player, feels the same way:
David Wright, after Saturday’s game: “It’s been tough because we’re playing, as far as the standings go, in pretty meaningless games…That’s the tough part....”
It’s so tough for David that he couldn’t run hard for 180 feet on Saturday night. It makes me thrilled that I’m spending a minimum of $105 to see the Mets on Tuesday night (tickets + parking, and yes, I bought this game before the season started).
At least the Mets won’t let us down in the last weekend. They took care of that a long time ago.
In case you’re wondering, I am not in the Fantasy Camp commercial currently shown on SNY. However, a plastic surgeon from Rochester, NY makes two appearances.
Ryan Zimmerman is having a great year for the Nationals. We know that he is a contemporary of David Wright’s from the Virginia Beach area. A few seasons ago, my friend Jeff Bond claimed that Zimmerman was better than Wright. I thought that Jeff was an idiot (after all, Jeff once bet that Willy Mo Pena would hit 40 homeruns for the Nationals). However, two years, later, it appears that for at least one year, Jeff was right (no pun intended). Every game that Zimmerman plays is “meaningless” but that hasn’t stopped Zimmerman from hitting .288, with 32 HR and 101 RBI. He is favored to win the Gold Glove this year.
It helps that Ryan is in the same lineup as Adam Dunn. While Dunn could win the Lead Glove award (gold vs. lead—funny, eh?), he can hit: .273, 38/103/.403 OBP. He has hit exactly 40 HRs in four straight seasons and is close to making it five. Nah, the Mets couldn’t have used that kind of power. Another bonehead move by the Mets incompetent GM.
II. The Matchups
I won’t be at Monday’s game, as I will be at the Stiller’s home to break the fast. Ross Detwiler will face Nelson Figueroa. Detwiler (LHP, 0-6, 5.71, 1.65 WHIP) hasn’t faced the Mets this season, as you might have guessed by the fact that he has no wins. He has started twice since his September call-up, going 5 innings against the Phillies (1 ER) and 5.2 innings against the Dodgers (3 ER). The only Met that’s ever faced Detwiler is Francouer who is 0 for 2. Figueroa (RHP, 2-7, 4.88, 1.64) hasn’t faced the Nationals this season.
As noted, I will be at Tuesday’s game to see Mike Pelfrey and J.D. Martin. Martin (RHP, 5-4, 5.71, 1.45) made his ML debut against the Mets on July 20, losing 6-2 (4 IP, 5 ER). He beat the Mets on September 18 (5.1 IP, 2 ER). Against Martin, Francouer is 4 for 5 and Pagan is 3 for 6. I don’t know about you, but I’m sick of Pelfrey (10-12, 5.08, 1.52). I would have “shut him down” a few weeks ago, after his great start against the Cubs on September 6. These starts haven’t done anything to help his fragile psyche and have put more innings on his young arm. Pelfrey is 1-2 against the Nationals in ’09 (most recently on September 18, 7 IP, 4 ER). Against Pelfrey, Josh Willingham is 7 for 17, 2 HR, 6 RBI and Zimmerman is 10-33, 1 HR, 4 RBI.
Wednesday’s game starts at 4:35. The locals want more day games but the Nationals are hesitant to do so, thinking that it could jam the fragile transportation system at rush-hour. The half-assed compromise is to have a few games start at 4:35. John Lannan (LHP, 9-13, 3.93, 1.37) faces Tim Redding (3-6, 5.29, 1.47) in this one. We already know way too much about Lannan and Redding. Lannan pitches great against NY teams and Redding is making a decent showing to be in the 5th slot in the rotation next season. Against Lannan, Francouer is 10-19. Willingham is 5-15, 2 HR, 4 RBI versus Redding.
III. That’s It
If you’re looking for dcbatgirl, I’m going to have to pass this time. I’ve gone to her for the other 2 KTEs and I don’t want to waste her knowledge on “meaningless” games. Blame David Wright.
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