Cleveland Indians Series Preview: New York Mets, September 6-September 8

After three straight series against playoff (or potential playoff) teams, the Tribe took a much needed day off. The homestretch begins with a visit from the final NL East adversary, the New York Mets. The three game set is set for Friday at 7:05PM, Saturday at 6:05 PM and Sunday at 1:05 PM. The Royals will visit for the final time after the Mets leave town.

Scoreboard Watch: White Sox at Orioles, Red Sox at Yankees, Astros at A's, Tigers at Royals, Rangers at Angels, Rays at Mariners

Team in a Box

The Mets may be a third place team, but they are 21.5 games back of the juggernaut Braves squad this season. They haven't really had a hot streak yet this season as the longest winning streak was five games at the end of May. They have been remarkably consistent each month, losing 15 games in each month except July where they lost only 12. They have fared ok against our division brethren splitting four with the White Sox, a series loss to the Royals, sweeping the Twins and being swept by the Tigers. They are one of the poorer hitting teams in the NL, bottom five in the major categories and are more of a middle of the pack team in the pitching categories. They are seventh in fielding percentage but only thirteenth in double plays turned.

Projected Lineup

This lineup looks much different than it did earlier in the year. Davis Wright and Ike Davis are both hurt, with John Buck and Marlon Byrd both dealt at the deadline. The replacement players have done alright in their place, but there still is very limited data to go off of. Murphy and Duda are the two that have the most MLB experience and could do most of the damage. Satin has been hitting well in place of Wright. The Mets currently have Justin Turner (81 OPS), Wilmer Flores (22), Anthony Recker (89) and Zach Lutz (7 PA) all in reserve.

Projected Starters

Wheeler is a 2009 first round pick by the San Francisco Giants who came over in the Carlos Beltran trade. He made his first MLB appearance this June and has pitched effectively. In August, he was 3-2 in six starts, 37.1 IP, 36 hits, 11 walks, and 36 strikeouts. He has gone at least 6 innings in all but one of those six starts. Niese has a decent ERA this year, but his peripherals are not good. But that was due to a really poor stretch in May. Since the beginning of August, he is 3-0 with a complete game in five starts, 2.14 ERA, 1.158 WHIP and a 8.6 K/9. He made one start against the Indians back in 2010, pitching seven innings, eight hits, three runs, two walks and three strikeouts and getting the win. Old Clipper buddy Dice-K, got his wish a few weeks back, being released so he could pitch for the Mets. This is really because their rotation has been decimated by injuries (see below). He has made three starts and been walloped in each of them (Tigers, Phillies, Braves). Historically he has been very good against the Tribe, 4-2 in six starts, 2.72 ERA, 1.235 WHIP and 6.6 K/9. But that was mostly back in 2009-2010. He is not the same pitcher now.

Key Relievers

With Bobby Parnell out, Hawkins has taken over the closer's role. Other than one blow-up against the Tigers, the 40 year old has been pretty effective as the closer. Overall since August 4, he has seven saves, one blow save, 4.73 ERA, 0.975 WHIP and 7.4 K/9. The Tigers bloat that with five runs on four hits and a walk in just 0.1 innings. In his career, he has not pitched well against the Indians, 5.12 ERA in 40 appearances, 1.768 WHIP, 6.5 K/9. But most of that was with the Twins from 1997 to 2001, when the Indians had some serious hitting ability. Rice was a first round supplemental pick by the Orioles way back in 1999. He made his debut this year with the Mets at 31. He leads the NL in appearances currently with 73 outings. Overall his numbers are pretty average, but since August 1, he has seven holds, 12 innings in 19 games, 3.00 ERA, 1.083 WHIP and 6.0 K/9. Atchison is one of those late round success stories, being drafted in the 49th round by the Mariners in 1998. He doesn't strike many guys out at all. He has been hit decently since the beginning of August, 4.85 ERA in 13 IP in 14 games. In four games against the Indians, he has yet to give up an earned run, but five overall in six innings. Other arms include David Aardsma (81 ERA+), Gonzalez German (82), Tim Byrdak (1.1 IP), Pedro Feliciano (7.1 IP), Vic Black (1.2 IP).

On the Shelf

• 1B Ike Davis (strained right oblique) - day-to-day DL, out for season
• RP Josh Edgin (stress fracture in ribs) - 15-day DL, possibly September
• P Jeurys Familia (right elbow surgery) - 15-day DL, on A+ rehab
• P Francisco Frank (right elbow inflammation) - 60-day DL, on AA rehab
• SP Matt Harvey (right torn UCL) - 15-day DL, possibly out for season
• SP Jeremy Hefner (2013 Tommy John surgery) - 15-day DL, out for season
• SP Jenry Mejia (2013 Tommy John surgery) - 15-day DL, out for season
• RP Bobby Parnell (herniated neck disc) - 15-day DL, no timetable
• SP Johan Santana (2013 left shoulder surgery) - 60-day DL, out for season
• 3B David Wright (right hamstring strain) - 15-day DL, on rehab

Wow, that is a lot of injuries, especially to the rotation. No wonder they signed Matsuzaka.

Almanac