Game 107: Mets vs. Phillies Starting Lineup and Pitching Matchup

Mets Starting Lineup
1. Curtis Granderson-RF
2. Daniel Murphy-2B
3. David Wright-3B
4. Eric Campbell-1B
5. Chris Young-LF
6. Travis d'Arnaud-C
7. Juan Lagares-CF
8. Wilmer Flores-SS
9. Dillon Gee-RHP

The pitching matchup is Dillon Gee ( 4-3, 3.49 ERA) vs. LHP Cole Hamels ( 5-5, 2.72 ERA)

Game 106: Mets vs. Phillies Starting Lineup And Pitching Matchup

Mets Starting Lineup
1. Curtis Granderson-RF
2. Daniel Murphy-2B
3. David Wright-3B
4. Lucas Duda-1B
5. Chris Young-LF
6. Travis d'Arnaud-C
7. Juan Lagares-CF
8. Ruben Tejada-SS
9. Bartolo Colon-RHP

The pitching matchup is Bartolo Colon ( 9-8, 4.03 ERA) vs. RHP AJ Burnett ( 6-9, 3.86 ERA)

Game 105: Mets vs. Brewers Starting Lineup And Pitching Matchup

Mets Starting Lineup
1. Curtis Granderson-RF
2. Daniel Murphy-2B
3. David Wright-3B
4. Lucas Duda-1B
5. Chris Young-LF
6. Juan Lagares-CF
7. Anthony Recker-C
8. Ruben Tejada-SS
9. Jacob deGrom-RHP

The pitching matchup is Jacob deGrom ( 4-5, 3.01 ERA) vs. RHP Jimmy Nelson ( 1-1, 5.05 ERA)

Game 104: Mets vs. Brewers Starting Lineup And Pitching Matchup

Mets Starting Lineup
1. Curtis Granderson-RF
2. Daniel Murphy-2B
3. David Wright-3B
4. Lucas Duda-1B
5. Travis d'Arnaud-C
6. Chris Young-CF
7. Wilmer Flores-SS
8. Jon Niese-LHP
9. Eric Young Jr-LF

The pitching matchup is Jon Niese ( 5-5, 3.13 ERA) vs. RHP Wily Peralta ( 11-6, 3.58 ERA)

Game 102: Mets vs. Brewers Starting Lineup and Pitching Matchup

Mets Starting Lineup
1. Curtis Granderson-RF
2. Daniel Murphy-2B
3. David Wright-3B
4. Lucas Duda-1B
5. Travis d'Arnaud-C
6. Chris Young-LF
7. Wilmer Flores-SS
8. Juan Lagares-CF
9. Dillon Gee-RHP
The pitching matchup is Dillon Gee ( 4-2, 2.92 ERA) vs. RHP Matt Garza ( 6-7, 4.04 ERA)

Game 101: Mets vs. Mariners Starting Lineup and Pitching Matchup

Mets Starting Lineup
1. Eric Young Jr-LF
2. Daniel Murphy-2B
3. David Wright-3B
4. Lucas Duda-1B
5. Bobby Abreu-DH
6. Chris Young-RF
7. Juan Lagares-CF
8. Anthony Recker-C
9. Ruben Tejada-SS

The pitching matchup is RHP Bartolo Colon ( 8-8, 4.12 ERA) vs. RHP Taijuan Walker ( 1-1, 3.60 ERA)

Game 100: Mets vs. Mariners Starting Lineup and Pitching Matchup

Mets Starting Lineup
1. Eric Young Jr-LF
2. Daniel Murphy-2B
3. David Wright-3B
4. Lucas Duda-1B
5. Bobby Abreu-DH
6. Travis d'Arnaud-C
7. Kirk Nieuwenhuis-RF
8. Juan Lagares-CF
9. Ruben Tejada-SS

The pitching matchup is RHP Jacob deGrom ( 3-5, 3.18 ERA) vs. RHP Erasmo Ramirez ( 1-4, 4.58 ERA)

Game 99: Mets vs. Mariners Starting Lineup and Pitching Matchup

Mets Starting Lineup
1. Curtis Granderson-RF
2. Daniel Murphy-2B
3. David Wright-3B
4. Eric Campbell-1B
5. Lucas Duda-DH
6. Travis d'Arnaud-C
7. Chris Young-LF
8. Juan Lagares-CF
9. Ruben Tejada-SS

The pitching matchup is LHP Jon Niese ( 5-4, 2.96 ERA) vs. LHP Roenis Elias ( 7-8, 4.54 ERA)

Game 97: Mets vs. Padres Starting Lineup and Pitching Matchup

Mets Starting Lineup
1. Curtis Granderson-RF
2. Daniel Murphy-2B
3. David Wright-3B
4. Lucas Duda-1B
5. Travis d'Arnaud-C
6. Kirk Nieuwenhuis-LF
7. Juan Lagares-CF
8. Ruben Tejada-SS
9. Dillon Gee-RHP

The pitching matchup is Dillon Gee ( 4-1, 2.56 ERA) vs. RHP Tyson Ross ( 7-10, 2.85 ERA)

Game 96: Mets vs. Padres Starting Lineup and Pitching Matchup

Mets Starting Lineup
1. Curtis Granderson-RF
2. Daniel Murphy-2B
3. David Wright-3B
4. Lucas Duda-1B
5. Travis d'Arnaud-C
6. Kirk Niewenhuis-LF
7. Juan Lagares-CF
8. Ruben Tejada-SS
9. Bartolo Colon-RHP

The pitching match up is Bartolo Colon ( 8-8, 3.99 ERA) vs. RHP Ian Kennedy ( 7-9, 3.47 ERA)

Game 94: Mets vs. Marlins Starting Lineup And Pitching Matchup

Mets Starting Lineup
1. Curtis Granderson-RF
2. Daniel Murphy-2B
3. David Wright-3B
4. Lucas Duda-1B
5. Travis d'Arnaud-C
6. Kirk Nieuwenheuis-LF
7. Juan Lagares-CF
8. Ruben Tejada-SS
9. Daisuke Matsuzaka-RHP

The pitching matchup is Daisuke Matsuzaka ( 3-3, 3.32 ERA) vs. RHP Tom Koehler ( 6-7, 3.98 ERA)

Game 93: Mets vs. Marlins Starting Lineup and Pitching Matchup

Mets Starting Lineup
1. Curtis Granderson-RF
2. Daniel Murphy-2B
3. David Wright-3B
4. Lucas Duda-1B
5. Travis d'Arnaud-C
6. Kirk Nieuwenhuis-LF
7. Juan Lagares-CF
8. Ruben Tejada-SS
9. Zack Wheeler-RHP

The pitching matchup is Zack Wheeler ( 4-8, 4.07 ERA) vs. RHP Henderson Alvarez ( 6-3, 2.27 ERA)

Game 92: Mets vs. Braves Starting Lineup And Pitching Matchup

Mets Starting Lineup
1. Curtis Granderson-RF
2. Daniel Murphy-2B
3. David Wright-3B
4. Lucas Duda-1B
5. Travis d'Arnaud-C
6. Juan Lagares-CF
7. Ruben Tejada-SS
8. Bartolo Colon-RHP
9. Eric Young Jr-LF

The pitching matchup is Bartolo Colon ( 8-7, 4.04 ERA) vs. RHP Aaron Harang ( 8-6, 3.67 ERA)

How Has Travis d'Arnaud Improved Offensively?

When the Mets acquired Travis d'Aranud from the Blue Jays, it was expected that he was going to become an offensive force and play a huge role in the Mets lineup. However when he was called up last year, he struggled and his struggled carried over into this season. Met fans were starting to wonder whether d'Arnaud would ever develop into the kind of hitter we would hoping he would become. He was sent down to Triple A in hopes of becoming an improved hitter. Since being recalled on June 23th, d'Arnaud has hit .300 with 3 home runs and 10 RBI's. Prior to his demotion, he only.180. I think there have been 2 major reasons for d'Arnaud's improvement since coming back to the big leagues. One reason I feel is that he has become a more aggressive hitter and swings earlier in the count. Since Lamar Johnson took over as hitting coach, he has stressed the importance of looking for good pitches to hit and not trying to draw walks. d'Arnaud is now hitting fastballs for extra base hits on the first pitch of an at-bat. This is a far contrast to when Dave Hudgens was hitting coach when the philosophy was to work the count and try to draw walks and get on base. Another reason is that d'Arnaud has improved his stance and is now standing closer to the plate. Prior to getting sent down, d'Arnaud stood way too far off the plate and had trouble covering the outside pitch. His improved stance has helped him hit the ball to the opposite field and get extra base hits. I think that the Mets Triple A Manager Wally Backman and hitting coach George Greer deserve a lot of credit for figuring how the problems with d'Arnaud. I think that these changes that they helped d'Aranud make have helped him a much more confident and relaxed hitter. I know that all Mets fans, myself included are excited to see what the future holds for d'Arnaud now that he starting to hit with power on a consistent basis.

Here we are again: Can Mets make a run?

In what seems like an every-other-week story, the Mets are hot again. After last night's 4-1 victory, the Amazin's have "amazingly" taken five of their last six games and have erased three games off the defect as they chase the Atlanta Braves.

Two short weeks ago from today, and two short weeks ago from then, the Mets were hot. The bats had woken up, Chris Young specifically if you remember, and the Mets were primed for a hot streak. On many separate occasions this season the Mets have riddled off four of five games, five or six games, and once six of seven games, all for naught. What makes the Mets most recent hot stark any different? Is it the pitching? Hitting? Combination?

Many fans, such as myself,  were one click away from turning the Mets, and SNY off all together after the team slumped to a season-low eleven games under .500. It seemed as if trading All-Star Daniel Murphy was inevitable, as well as Bartolo Colon and one of Dillon Gee or Jon Neise.

Ever since the equally slumping Texas Rangers came to Citi Field, the Mets have shown a pulse. A pulse that has quickly died on many separate occasions in 2014 already---and we are in early July---halfway through.

I'm not so sure if the Atlanta Braves should be ashamed that a team ten games under .500 on Monday night blew the doors off of them in three straight games. Or, should I believe that a team like the Mets can hang with the Atlanta Braves of the world? Travis d'Arnaud, Curtis Granderson, Jacob deGrom, and Dillon Gee have all proved they can---for now.

Game 91: Mets vs. Braves Starting Lineup and Pitching Matchup

Mets Starting Lineup
1. Curtis Granderson-RF
2. Daniel Murphy-2B
3. David Wright-3B
4. Lucas Duda-1B
5. Bobby Abreu-LF
6. Kirk Nieuwenhuis-CF
7. Travis d'Arnaud-C
8. Ruben Tejada-SS
9. Dillon Gee-RHP

The pitching matchup is Dillon Gee ( 3-1, 2.73 ERA) vs. RHP Ervin Santana ( 7-5, 3.93 ERA)

Game 89: Mets vs. Braves Starting Lineup and Pitching Matchup

Mets Starting Lineup
1. Curtis Granderson-RF
2. Daniel Murphy-2B
3. David Wright-3B
4. Eric Campbell-1B
5. Juan Lagares-CF
6. Chris Young-LF
7. Travis d'Arnaud-C
8. Ruben Tejada-SS
9. Daisuke Matsuzaka-RHP

The pitching matchup is Daisuke Matsuzaka ( 3-3, 3.72 ERA) vs. LHP Mike Minor ( 2-5, 4.73 ERA)

Terry Collins: "This is an important series for us."

Sandy Alderson was asked whether the Mets would be buyers or sellers at the trade deadline. His response was that the team's current 10-game home stand will determine the fate of the 2014 New York Mets.

Tonight, the Mets begin a four game series against the division leading Atlanta Braves. "It's huge for us," said Terry Collins, "it's an important series for us.

Currently the Mets sit 10 games behind the division leading Braves, with a 39-49 record.

Monday News: Castro Rumors, top 50 Prospects, Daniel Murphy, and More.

The Mets (39-49) open up a four game series with the division leading Atlanta Braves (49-39) at Citi Field, starting tonight at 7:10 PM. As we enter the final week before the all-star break, here's a look at the latest from the Mets:

Congratulations to Daniel Murphy for making the 2014 All-Star game. Daniel has been selected to be a reserve in the game, and will be the only Mets representative. Overall, Murphy fell in fourth place in the second base voting, with familiar foe Chase Utley leading the way.

A source close to the Mets said Starlin Castro would be a "perfect fit" on this team. The two teams, however, are more likely to investigate a deal in the winter, a source said. Unfortunately, such a deal may require the Mets surrendering Zack Wheeler. 

Mets prospects, Syndergaard, Nimmo, and Plawecki now rank on Baseball America's updated top 50 list. Syndergaard is ranked 19th, Plawecki 40, and Nimmo 48, respectively.

Should The Mets Try To Make a Trade For Starlin Castro?

Since Ruben Tejada has continued to struggle this season, the Mets are still trying to figure out how they can upgrade the shortstop position. One possibility is that they make a trade with the Cubs for Starlin Castro.

 Castro, 24 is hitting .287 this year with 11 home runs and 51 RBI's. He also has 26 doubles, which leads all shortstops. I think that the Mets could trade Kevin Plawecki for Castro since Travis d'Arnaud has started to hit. They could also trade one of their young pitchers such as Zack Wheeler or Noah Syndergarrd for him. I feel that it is worth it for the Mets to trade one of their young arms for Castro.

The Mets need a solid bat at SS who can hit in the middle of the order. I would like to see Sandy Alderson make this trade and add another bat with David Wright and Curtis Granderson.

Game 85: Mets vs. Braves Starting Lineup and Pitching Matchup

Mets Starting Lineup
1. Eric Young Jr-LF
2. Juan Lagares-CF
3. Daniel Murphy-2B
4. Curtis Granderson-RF
5. Eric Campbell-3B
6. Lucas Duda-1B
7. Travis d'Arnaud-C
8. Ruben Tejada-SS
9. Jacob deGrom-RHP

The pitching matchup is Jacob deGrom ( 1-4, 3.62 ERA) vs. RHP Julio Teheran ( 7-5, 2.34 ERA)

Game 84: Mets vs. Braves Starting Lineup and Pitching Matchup

Mets Starting Lineup
1. Curtis Granderson-RF
2. Ruben Tejada-SS
3. Daniel Murphy-2B
4. Eric Campbell-3B
5. Lucas Duda-1B
6. Chris Young-LF
7. Travis d'Arnaud-C
8. Juan Lagares-CF
9. Daisuke Matsuzaka-RHP

The pitching matchup is Daisuke Matsuzaka ( 3-2, 3.23 ERA) vs. LHP Mike Minor ( 2-5, 4.52 ERA)