Turnpike Series

Phillies Mets First Pitch: Mets vs. Phillies 9/13/09 Game 1 Lineup and Game Chat

The Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets face off twice today in a day night double header. John Maine takes the hill for the Mets as he returns from shoulder issues. The Phillies counter with Kyle Kendrick who spent most of the season at triple A trying to return to the form he had in 2007.

Game Time: 1:05pm

Television Broadcast: My Phl 17

Lineups are below. Game chat is in the comments section.

Game 1 Lineups 9/13/2009:

Mets:

1. Pagan CF
2. Hernandez 2B
3. Wright 3B
4. Murphy 1B
5. Francoeur RF
6. Sullivan LF
7. Thole C
8. Valdez SS
9. Maine P

Phillies:

1. Rollins SS
2. Victorino CF
3. Utley 2B
4. Howard 1B
5. Ibanez LF
6. Francisco RF
7. Feliz 3B
8. Bako C
9. Kendrick

Phillies Mets First Pitch: Mets vs. Phillies 9/12/09 Lineup and Game Chat

After winning the opener, the Philadelphia Phillies look to make it two in a row against the New York Mets. The Phillies gained a game in the division standings but the Mets want to change their fortunes.

Game Time: 4:05pm

Television Broadcast: Fox

Lineups are below. Game chat is in the comments section.

Lineups:

Mets:

1. Castillo 2B
2. Tatis LF
3. Wright 3B
4. Beltran CF
5. Francoeur RF
6. Santos C
7. Murphy 1B
8. Valdez SS
9. Pelfrey P

Phillies:

1. Rollins SS
2. Victorino CF
3. Utley 2B
4. Howard 1B
5. Ibanez LF
6. Werth RF
7. Feliz 3B
8. Ruiz C
9. Moyer P

Turnpike Series First Pitch: Mets vs. Phillies 9/11/09

The New York Mets (62-78) are at Citizens Bank Park to face the World Champion Philadelphia Phillies (79-59) in a National League East show down. It has been the tale of two seasons. The Mets acquired K-Rod who declared his new team "the team to beat". I guess he is not the prophet that Jimmy Rollins was.

The Mets have fallen on hard times and the only way now to salvage any part of their season is to play the role of spoiler against the hated Phillies. With a five game lead in the division and the Marlins gaining ground, a Mets sweep or even a series win could put the Phillies in a position to blow a big September lead. Something the Mets know about all too well.

The Phillies have had a strong season as defending World Champions. After a little bit of a slide in June, they have controlled the division. But September has been shaky as their starters have been inconsistent, their set up men injured, and Brad Lidge losing his confidence and perhaps his job as closer.

This weekend series could be a key to how the National League East is resolved. Don't miss a pitch!

Lineups 9/11/09:

Mets:

1. Pagan CF
2. Castillo 2B
3. Wright 3B
4. Francoeur RF
5. Tatis 1B
6. Evans LF
7. Santos C
8. Valdez SS
9. Figueroa P

Phillies:

1. Rollins SS
2. Victorino CF
3. Utley 2B
4. Howard 1B
5. Ibanez LF
6. Werth RF
7. Feliz 3B
8. Ruiz C
9. Hamels P

Be sure to check out Phightin' Phils Phorum and Mr Mets Daily for more on this series!

Curse of the J-Roll

For full coverage of the Phillies and Mets, check out Phightin' Phils Phorum, Mr Mets Daily, and The Turnpike Series.

The Curse of the J-Roll came back again last night as ghosts of Septembers past haunted the New York Mets in late August. The Phillies once again bested the Mets with their backs against the wall when it counted most as they came back from a 7-0 deficit to win in 13 innings 8-7.

What a beautiful night at Citizens Bank Park! That is unless you are one of the Mets fans that came down for the game. As we were chanting in the MyTeamRivals section of CBP (209), ""Hit the Turnpike!" Mutts fans looked suicidal as they left the park. Just remember what Mets stands for...

My
Entire
Team
Sucks

For full coverage of the Phillies and Mets, check out Phightin' Phils Phorum, Mr Mets Daily, and The Turnpike Series.

The Curse of the J-Roll came back again last night as ghosts of Septembers past haunted the New York Mets in late August. The Phillies once again bested the Mets with their backs against the wall when it counted most as they came back from a 7-0 deficit to win in 13 innings 8-7.

Johan Can't Hold Lead in Loss

Johan Santana was brought in to give the New York Mets the lift they needed to be absolute favorites in the National League East. So his team comes into Philadelphia to face the first place Phillies and he needed to lead his team back into the race. He faced a rookie who is only making his second big league start and his team gave him a 2-0 lead. No problem for an ace like Santana, he got his team a win. Oh wait, maybe not. Johan gave the runs right back then the bullpen blew yet another game as the red hot Phightin' Phils beat the Mets in the opener and look to put the Mets out of the pennant race.

It was another close game between the teams but the Phillies showed heart and determination like they did in the second half of last year and came home with the win. Sorry rotten apples, your best shot of winning a game this series just sailed away!

Learned Something New

I learned something new at Fenway Park last night. I watched the Diamondbacks beat the Red Sox and met a Yankees fan from New York. He told me what the letters in Mets stands for. My Entire Team Sucks! It is all coming together now. We will be referring to the Mets with this acronym from now on!!!

Mets Do It Again! Lose!!

Willie Randolph and Omar Minaya has built a team of... oh LOSERS. While Billy Wagner wishes he had not been greedy for the extra year and stayed in Philadelphia and David Wright wonders where the heart of the 1986 Mets is, the rest of the team has found it very comfortable to be mediocre. A year ago people in the baseball world were touting Jose Reyes as the best shortstop in the game. They regarded Carlos Beltran as a five tool player destined for an MVP award. They also looked at Carlos Delgado as a feared slugger.

Reyes is batting a mediocre .272 and although he has 15 steals he has been thrown out 5 times. BeltTRAN (pronounced the Jon Miller way) is hitting .256 with 4 homeruns, while Delgado is at .219 with 8 homers. Hardly the play of champions. The fact is the Mets fans ran their mouths as always and are just now beginning to learn that there team is too old, has no heart, and no future.

Oh wait, I forgot about team savior Johan Santana. Santana was going to make this team unbeatable and they were going to win 100 games because of the big trade. The overpaid premadonna is an average 5-3 with a 3.36 ERA. Yet another bad deal for the Mets. The difference this time is it will cost them $151 million. I can't wait for him to be just as successful as other signings like Tom Glavine, Pedro Martinez, and Brett Saberhagen. Gotta love their scouting system. Is this still the same group that traded Nolan Ryan for Jim Fregosi?

I envy you Mets fans though on one point. You could wizen up and become Yankees fans. Make the switch, the Mets SUCK!

Mets looking for sweep!

The New York Mets try to make it a clean sweep tonight at Citizens Bank Park. Tonight's win will put New York 4 games ahead of Philadelphia...just as it should always be!

Remember Philly, last year was a fluke...Championship titles and Philadelphia just don't belong in the same sentence.

Pregame Quick Hits: Mets vs. Phillies 4/19/08

The Philadelphia Phillies will host the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park today at 3:55pm on Fox. Jamie Moyer (1-0 5.52) will toe the rubber for the Phillies while Oliver Perez (1-0 3.38) counters for the Mets. For the second night in a row both teams will start Southpaws.

• The Phillies lead the all time series with the Mets 420-367.
• The Mets are 3-1 vs. the Phillies in 2008. They have a 3 game winning streak.
• The Mets are 20-18 at Citizens Bank Park.
• Pat Burrell leads all active players in career homeruns against New York with 41.
• Billy Wagner has a career 1.76 ERA with 31 saves at Citizens Bank Park

Final Game Match Up:

4/20 vs. NYM Pelphrey (1-0 3.60) vs. Eaton (0-0 3.95) 8:05pm ESPN

Gopher Santana Can't Keep Ball in Park

Omar Minaya traded the farm then mortgaged the house to bring in Johan Santana to be the team's savior. What does Santana do today? Gives up 3 homeruns and proves an old adage. If you are a star and want to go to New York, go to the Yankees because the Mets is where stars go to SUCK!

Another great deal for the Mets brass. They give new meaning to the phrase "Buying a Lemon!" Can't wait til this weekend!