Game 1 Matchups

For a complete list of how the Mets lineup fares against Weaver, see the post below.

No one outside of Delgado destroys Weaver. But man, Delgado crushes Jeff.

Weaver has been a different pitcher this year…and not in a good way. Lefthanded batters have an OPS over 1.000 against Weaver. That’s almost Albert-like production. Weaver managed to confuse the Padres with his curveball…for five innings. I'm sure the Mets have seent that video by now, and at least know it's coming.

I don’t see Weaver pitching longer than five innings at Shea. Look for Kinney, Hancock, Flores, Johnson and Wainwright (if we’re leading) to start the reliever merry-go-round no later than the sixth. It wouldn’t shock me to see Weaver lifted against either Beltran or Delgado with men on base even before the sixth.

If Weaver goes more than twice through the heart of the Mets order, it will likely mean we, A) have a 12 run lead, or B) Weaver has a no-hitter, or C) LaRussa is trapped under something heavy.

Glavine has had success against a lot of the Cardinal lineup. Scott Rolen has hit .358 off Glavine with two homers. But Scott isn’t right, and Spezio, who has never faced Glavine, should start at third. Albert is hitting .450 off Glavine in 20 at-bats, but no extra basehits.

Curiously, Encarnacion hits the soft-tossing lefty well, posting a .361 average in 36 at-bats.

Preston Wilson, who crushes left-handed pitching, is hitting .205 against Tommy. Duncan has never faced Glavine. I’m still betting on a Wilson start in game 1.

Edmonds is 4 for 19 against Glavine, while Belliard is 5 for 12.

Agaisnt the Mets bullpen, there is little to go on. Wilson has 18 at-bats against Mota, but a .222 average. Encarnacion is hitting .125 in 16 at-bats against Heilman. Albert is hitting .300 against Wagner, but Edmonds hits .231 with 6 K's in 13 at-bats against the lefty. It's a good pen.

It’s hard not to give the Mets the edge. They are a fantastic team…on paper. If Weaver can get us to the 6th, then all bets are off. However, that is a huge if. Opening games can be tone-setters. The thought a week ago of letting Weaver set a tone was downright frightening. Then again, a week ago, Cards fans were lobying to allow the Braves to play beat the Padres for us.

Weaver looked great in San Diego. I suppose it’s just more fun to be optimistic than realistic. So go Jeff.