Still shaking

See this lineup? It's exactly the same tonight.

All the notes are the same too. Thank you for making tonight easy, Willie Randolph.

Shake it up

Lineup for Mets vs. Marlins tonight:
SS Jose Reyes
2B Luis Castillo
3B David Wright
CF Carlos Beltran
1B Damion Easley
RF Fernando Tatis
C Ramon Castro
LF Nick Evans
LH Johan Santana

Carlos Delgado hits the pine to "clear his head." To me, it should read like "ween into sitting on the bench more." Ryan Church is home after seeing a neurologist. Hope this game ends in nine innings (or less).

I'm worried about Church. Heck, I'm worried about the whole team. Very worried.

Game Preview: Mets @ Rockies

The Mets and Rockies square off in the rubber game at Coors Field.

Lineup:
SS Jose Reyes
2B Luis Castillo
3B David Wright
CF Carlos Beltran
1B Carlos Delgado
C Brian Schneider
LF Nick Evans
RF Endy Chavez
SP John Maine

There's the lineup for todays matinée in Colorado. Glad to see Evans still in there and moving up in the order. Chavez plays again as Ryan Church is still feeling the effects of getting a knee to the head.

Hopefully Church doesn't need to go to the disabled list, but it doesn't look promising. Maybe Mike Carp will get a call-up, if that happens.

Shaking things up

Here's tonight's lineup, if there is a game:
SS Jose Reyes
DH Marlon Anderson
3B David Wright
CF Carlos Beltran
RF Ryan Church
LF Moises Alou
1B Carlos Delgado
C Brian Schneider
2B Luis Castillo
-----
SP Johan Santana

Very interesting. I don't like it, but I find it pretty odd to bat your DH second, and for Anderson to be batting second is so strange. I think it will work though, if they play. Anderson's been pretty hot as of late, which will set up nicely behind Reyes, if he gets on base.

Alou playing in the field on a day like this isn't even something I'm willing to try and wrap my mind around.

Still don't think they'll play though.

Game Preview: Mets @ Dodgers -- 5/7

The Mets looks to salvage their series against the Dodgers today, trying to take the final game and return home with a 3-3 record for the road trip.

Lineup:
SS Jose Reyes
2B Luis Castillo
3B David Wright
CF Carlos Beltran
RF Ryan Church
LF Angel Pagan
1B Marlon Anderson
C Raul Casanova
SP John Maine

Carlos Delgado, Moises Alou and Brian Schneider take a seat today for the day game after the night game. Surprised Beltran is in there today, Castillo too.

Brad Penny vs. the Mets: 5-11, 111.1 IP, 132 hits, 79 runs, 34 BB, 86 K, 5.66 ERA

Mets vs. Penny:
Reyes: 7-26, 2 2B, HR, 4 RBI, 2 BB, 4 K
Castillo: No experience
Wright: 9-14, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 4 BB, 3 K
Beltran: 3-15, 3B, RBI, 3 K
Church: 3-9, 2B, RBI, 2 K
Pagan: No experience
Anderson: 5-25, 2 2B, 3B, 2 BB, 3 K
Casanova: No experience

Game Preview: Mets @ Dodgers -- 5/6

The Mets aim to bounce back from last nights debacle, facing the Dodgers for the second late game in a row, another 10:10 p.m. start.

Lineup:
SS Jose Reyes
RF Ryan Church
3B David Wright
CF Carlos Beltran** (Late scratch. Flu-like symptoms.)
LF Moises Alou
1B Carlos Delgado
CF Angel Pagan** (I believe this is what the lineup card in the dugout showed)
C Brian Schneider
2B Luis Castillo
SP Nelson Figueroa

Mets vs. Hiroki Kuroda:
No Met has ever faced him.

According to John Delcos, the lineup was posted late as Willie Randolph waited to hear from Alou if he was good to go for tonight. Look for Angel Pagan or Endy Chavez tomorrow.

Let's hope the Mets can find some success against a guy they've never faced. Most players were out for early BP.

Game Preview: Mets @ Dodgers -- 5/5

After taking a series against the NL leading Arizona Diamondbacks, the Mets head further west to Los Angeles to take on Joe Torre and his Dodgers, a 10:10 p.m. start.

Lineup:
SS Jose Reyes
RF Ryan Church
3B David Wright
CF Carlos Beltran
LF Moises Alou
1B Carlos Delgado
C Brian Schneider
2B Luis Castillo
SP Oliver Perez

Another day, another great lineup. I love it. Not much to say here. Good luck staying awake for the late game, I guess.

Mets vs. Chad Billingsley
Reyes: 0-1
Church: 0-4, BB, 2 K
Wright: No experience
Beltran: 0-1
Alou: 0-3, RBI, K
Delgado: No experience
Schneider: 1-4, 2 RBI
Castillo: 1-4

Boy, those are some great numbers. A combined 2-17.

Game Preview: Mets @ Diamondbacks -- 5/4

The Mets look to take the rubber game from the Diamondbacks with their ace on the mound, a 4:10 p.m. start.

Lineup:
SS Jose Reyes
RF Ryan Church
3B David Wright
CF Carlos Beltran
LF Moises Alou
1B Carlos Delgado
C Brian Schneider
2B Luis Castillo
SP Johan Santana

And that is the best lineup I've seen all year. Welcome back Mr. Schneider, I've missed thee.

Mets vs. Dan Haren:
Reyes: 0-4, RBI, BB, K
Church: No experience
Wright: 1-4, 2B, K
Beltran: 2-8, 3B, 2 K
Delgado: No experience
Schneider: 1-3, BB
Castillo: 3-14, 2B, 2 BB, K

Game Preview: Mets @ Diamondbacks -- 5/3

The Mets look to continue their success in Phoenix, as they take on the Diamondbacks for the second game of the series.

Lineup:
SS Jose Reyes
RF Ryan Church
3B David Wright
CF Carlos Beltran
1B Carlos Delgado
2B Damion Easley
C Raul Casanova
LF Endy Chavez
SP Mike Pelfrey

Luis Castillo and Moises Alou both get a breather today. Church stays in the lineup batting second.

Mets vs. Brandon Webb:
Reyes: 7-24, HR, 3 K
Church: 5-10, 3 2B, HR
Wright: 6-15, RBI, BB
Beltran: 5-20, 2 2B, 6 BB, 3 K
Delgado: 3-14, 2B, HR, 2 K
Easley: 0-5, BB, K
Casanova: No experience
Chavez: 2-11, K

Game Preview: Mets @ Diamondbacks

The Mets start their west coast swing, starting in Arizona tonight. It's a 9:40 p.m. start, so get some caffeine in your system.

Lineup:
SS Jose Reyes
RF Ryan Church
3B David Wright
CF Carlos Beltran
LF Moises Alou
1B Carlos Delgado
C Raul Casanova
2B Luis Castillo
SP John Maine

Maine vs. Micah Owings

Here's the new preview style, blatantly ripped off from Scott Proctor's Arm:
Mets vs. Owings:
Reyes: 0-3
Church: 1-4, BB, 2 K
Wright: 0-3
Beltran: 1-1, HR, 2 BB
Alou: 2-2, BB, 2B, RBI
Delgado: 0-3, 2 K
Casanova: 1-3, 3B
Castillo: Never faced

Obviously, Alou is back, which means a roster move was made, but I'm not sure what yet. I'm assuming Gustavo Molina was sent down, and Brian Schneider will catch if needed. The Mets are 5-0 with Church batting second. I love this lineup.

Game Preview: Pirates @ Mets -- 4/30

The Mets wrap up April with a day game against the Pirates today, a 1:1o p.m. start.

Lineup:
SS Jose Reyes
2B Luis Castillo
3B David Wright
CF Carlos Beltran
RF Ryan Church
1B Carlos Delgado
LF Angel Pagan
C Gustavo Molina
SP Oliver Perez

Perez vs. Tom Gorzelanny

Perez, an ex-Pirate, has pitched against Pittsburgh three times, posting a 0-2 record through 14 innings, with an ERA of 5.14.

Gorzelanny has appeared in three game against the Mets, also going 0-2, with an ERA of 10.45

Game Preview: Pirates @ Mets -- 4/29

The Mets will take on the Pirates tonight, after postponing last night's game due to rain. It's a 7:05 p.m. start.

Lineup:
SS Jose Reyes
2B Luis Castillo
3B David Wright
CF Carlos Beltran
RF Ryan Church
1B Carlos Delgado
C Raul Casanova
LF Endy Chavez
SP Johan Santana

Santana vs. Ian Snell

I like this lineup. Santana has only faced the Pirates twice, going 1-0 and pitching eight innings, posting a 1.13 ERA. Not quite sure how you post a ERA just over one and only get one decision. Maybe he came out of the bullpen?

Snell has faced the Mets four times, holding a 0-1 record with an ERA of 6.11. Chavez is batting 1.000 against Snell, going 3-3 with two doubles.

Game Preview: Braves @ Mets -- 4/27

The Mets look to take the series over the Atlanta Braves today after splitting the first two games, a 1:10 p.m. start.

Lineup:
SS Jose Reyes
2B Luis Castillo
3B David Wright
CF Carlos Beltran
RF Ryan Church
1B Carlos Delgado
C Raul Casanova
LF Endy Chavez
SP Nelson Figueroa

Figeuroa vs. John Smoltz

Seems like Angel Pagan is quickly falling out of favor as his batting average comes back down to earth. Church needs one hit to reach 300 for his career.

Game Preview: Mets @ Nationals -- 4/24

The Mets look to sweep the two game series in Washington tonight, a 7:10 p.m. start.

Lineup:
SS Jose Reyes
2B Luis Castillo
3B David Wright
CF Carlos Beltran
RF Ryan Church
1B Carlos Delgado
LF Angel Pagan
C Raul Casanova
SP Oliver Perez

Perez vs. Shawn Hill

Same lineup as last night, sans Brian Schneider, who is already back in New York having his infected thumb looked at.

Game Preview: Mets @ Nationals -- 4/23

The New York Mets will try to put the past behind them as they make their first trip to the Washington Nationals new park for a 7:10 p.m. start.

Lineup:
SS Jose Reyes
2B Luis Castillo
3B David Wright
CF Carlos Beltran
RF Ryan Church
1B Carlos Delgado
LF Angel Pagan
C Brian Schneider
LH Johan Santana

Santana vs. Tim Redding

Castillo back to second in the lineup after a day off. Church moves up a spot, moving Delgado down to sixth. Pagan back in left. Schneider back behind the plate. I really like this lineup. Delgado moving down is smart. Good stuff, Willie Randolph.

Game Preview: Mets @ Cubs -- 4/22

The New York Mets will take on the Chicago Cubs for the second and final game of their two game set today at 2:20 p.m. in Wrigley Field.

Lineup:
SS Jose Reyes
RF Angel Pagan
3B David Wright
CF Carlos Beltran
1B Carlos Delgado
2B Damion Easley
LF Brady Clark
C Raul Casanova
SP Nelson Figueroa

Figueroa vs. Ted Lilly

Pagan moves to right to spell Ryan Church and allow Clark to play in left. Brian Schneider is still down with the injury to his arm. Hopefully he'll be back for tomorrows game in Washington. Luis Castillo getting a day off, with Easley in his place.

Game Preview: Mets @ Cubs -- 4/21

After taking two out of three in Philadelphia, the New York Mets head into historic Wrigley Field to take on the Chicago Cubs.

Lineup:
SS Jose Reyes
2B Luis Castillo
3B David Wright
CF Carlos Beltran
1B Carlos Delgado
RF Ryan Church
C Raul Casanova
LF Endy Chavez
SP John Maine

Maine vs. Carlos Zambrano

Brian Schneider is still feeling the sting from the foul tip off his forearm on Saturday. No idea why Angel Pagan is sitting for the second straight day. Endy is getting his reps in though, which is always good. Here we go again with Castillo batting second. I don't like this one bit.

Game Preview: Mets @ Phillies -- 4/20

The New York Mets look for their second straight sweep as they take on the Philadelphia Phillies in a 8:10 p.m. game which will air nationally on ESPN.

Lineup:
SS Jose Reyes
2B Luis Castillo
3B David Wright
CF Carlos Beltran
1B Carlos Delgado
RF Ryan Church
C Raul Casanova
LF Endy Chavez
SP Mike Pelfrey

Pelfrey vs. Adam Eaton

From John Delcos:

Notice that Luis Castillo is back hitting second. Willie Randolph said he was never married to Ryan Church hitting second fulltime. He said he had a feel about him hitting second. Now, he has a feel for putting Castillo back.

Why would you pull a guy from the two hole if he is obviously doing very well. This is the thing I hate about Randolph. He'd rather "go with his gut" than step back and look at what has been happening. Leave Church where he is!!! Brian Schneider takes a seat tonight after getting pegged with a foul tip behind the plate in the ninth inning Saturday afternoon. Angel Pagan also takes a seat in favor of Chavez.

Game Preview: Mets @ Phillies -- 4/19

The New York Mets took the first game of the series last night against the Philadelphia Phillies, and look to win their fifth in a row today, a 4:00 p.m. start.

Lineup:
SS Jose Reyes
RF Ryan Church
3B David Wright
CF Carlos Beltran
1B Carlos Delgado
LF Angel Pagan
C Brian Schneider
2B Luis Castillo
SP Oliver Perez


Perez vs. Jamie Moyer

Same lineup as last night. Glad Reyes is in there after taking a rough shot to the head last night. Probably a little sore, but he's young and will stick it out for the team. Not much else to say here. Jimmy Rollins will probably be back in the lineup for the Phillies today.

Game Preview: Mets @ Phillies -- 4/18

The New York Mets, fresh off a sweep against the Washington Nationals, head into Philadelphia to take on the Philles for a three game set.

Lineup:
SS Jose Reyes
RF Ryan Church
3B David Wright
CF Carlos Beltran
1B Carlos Delgado
LF Angel Pagan
C Brian Schneider
2B Luis Castillo
LH Johan Santana

Santana vs. Cole Hamels

Again, it's billed as a pitchers duel, but it's probably not going to end up like that. Remember, they're in Citizens Bank Park. Beltran is back in the lineup after missing yesterday with a stiff neck. Schneider is in there too, as he took a seat last night.

I'll be liveblogging tonight, so stay tuned.