The New York Mets take on the Florida Marlins at Dolphin stadium today at 6:25 pm eastern as Baseball Instincts game of the day.
TV: Mets – SNY, Marlins – FSF , MLB.tv
Radio: Mets - WFAN 660, WADO 1280, Marlins - WAXY 790, WAQI 710, and as always you can catch this game and others on Game Day Audio
Here’s a closer fantasy look at the game of the day!
Probable Mets starting pitcher: RHP Livan Hernandez (13-11, 6.05 era in 2008)
New York will pin its hopes on Livan Hernandez, who will be making his Mets debut. Hernandez beat out veteran Freddy Garcia for the final spot in the rotation this spring. Hernandez is no stranger to Dolphin Stadium as he won the World Series MVP award while leading the Marlins to the title in 1997. Since then, hes faced the Marlins 25 times and has a 12-7 record while compiling 108 k’s and a 3.39 era.
Probable Marlins starting pitcher: RHP Ricky Nolasco (15-8, 3.52 era in 2008)
Getting the call for Florida tonight will be right-handed ace Ricky Nolasco, who picked up the win despite a poor Opening Day start on Monday against the Washington Nationals. Nolasco, who won a career-high 15 games last season, gave up five runs and seven hits in six innings.
Fantasy hitting stud for the Mets: SS Jose Reyes, 3B David Wright, and OF Carlos Beltran. That’s about as studly a threesome as you’ll find. Any one of the 3 could anchor your fantasy team nicely.
Who’s hot: Ramirez, 3B Emilio Bonifacio, and 1B Jore Cantu. Is Manager Freddie Gonzalez really smart or just lucky? Both Bonifacio and Cantu have looked great at their positions and at the plate. Emilio is hitting .579 with a hr, 9 runs scored and 4 sb’s. Cantu is hitting .429 with 2 hr’s and 7 rbi’s. The bulked up Ramirez is hitting .500 with 2 hr’s and 8 rbi’s, despite not stealing a base yet.
Worth keeping an eye on: OF Jeremy Hermida. After battling health issues, Hermida put up pretty solid numbers in 429 ab’s in 2007. Last season he finally hit the 500 ab mark, however he only hit .249 and his power numbers didn’t improve. He is 25 years old now and looks to be in great shape, though he’s struggled early, this may be the season he puts it all together and becomes a legit option for fantasy owners.
Fantasy pitching studs for the Mets: SP Johan Santana and Closer Francisco Rodriguez. Arguably the best starter/closer combination that money can buy. Starting pitchers Oliver Perez, Mike Pelfrey, and John Maine won’t ever be confused as elite pitchers, but all 3 should help fantasy rotations starting in the middle to rounding out your rotation.
Who’s hot: Santana with a win and 7 k’s in in his last start and K-Rod with 2 saves on the season. RP Brian Stokes has 3 k’s in 2 scoreless innings on the season.
Worth keeping an eye on: SP Jon Niese. With the heath concerns and the fact that the Mets can’t afford to struggle in the same division as the Phillies, Braves, and pesky Marlins – Niese could find himself in the rotation sooner rather than later. He has the ability to be as good as Perez, Pelfrey, or Maine.
Fantasy pitching studs for the Marlins: SP Josh Johnson and SP Rickey Nolasco. Closer Matt Lindstrom could be a good closer if he gets it together upstairs.
Who’s hot: Johnson, SP Chris Volstad, and SP Anibal Sanchez. Sanchez did give up 3 walks in 5 innings, but it didn’t cost him in 1st outing and looked strong. Volstad too had some command issues, giving up 4 walks, however the 7 k’s and 1 er looked great for fantasy owners, if he and Sanchez can stretch out to earn quality starts, they will be very valuable. Johnson had 8 k’s in 6 innings and issued no walks. Yeah, hes a stud.
Worth keeping an eye on: SP Andrew Miller. One of the key pieces in the Miguel Cabrera trade, Miller could throw 170 innings and have 170 k’s this season, at the age of 23.
Fantasy Players to just stay away from: NYM – OF/DH Gary Sheffield. Sheffield is a hot pick up right now after signing with the Mets. However, he’s not in shape to play the field and shouldn’t get enough ab’s to satisfy your needs. No, it doesn’t look sexy just to have his name on your roster. Stop living in the past. FLA – 3B Wes Helms. The Emilio Bonifacio at 3B is well underway, and even if that doesn’t work out they are more likely to slide Cantu back to 3B and bring 1B Gaby Sanchez up than to give significant time to Helms.
WHAT’S NEW: The Marlins are off to a 4-0 start for the 1st time in franchise history.
KEY STAT: The Mets have won 6 out of their last 10 games after a loss. The Marlins have won their last 8 out of 10 games after a win.
CONNECTIONS: Mets 2B Luis Castillo played for the Marlins from 1996-2005, where was a part of 2 world championships (1997 and 2003). Mets SP Livan Hernandez won a world series mvp award in 1997 and played for the Marlins from 1996-1999. Mets 1B Carlos Delgado played for the Marlins in 2005. Mets OF Gary Sheffield was also on that 1997 Marlins team, playing with them from 1993 to 1998. Sheffield was teammates with Marlins OF Cameron Maybin in 2007 with the Detroit Tigers.
Welcome back baseball! It’s game 2 between the Met’s and Marlins. Can the Marlins run their record to 5-0. Thanks for checking out Baseballinstinct.com and check back for more game of the day articles.
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