Mets-Dodgers Preview
Jason Bay may not be joining Jose Reyes at the All-Star game
next week, but he’s finally emerging as a valuable member of the
New York Mets.
Bay looks to continue his offensive surge and help the Mets
withstand another expected absence from Reyes in the opener of a
four-game set with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday night.
Bay is hitting .344 with two homers, 12 RBIs and seven walks
over the last 16 games, raising his average 41 points to .248.
He was clutch for the Mets (42-42) on Sunday, delivering a
walkoff single to score Scott Hairston and clinch a 3-2, 10-inning
win over the New York Yankees, ending a three-game skid.
“I’ve been through a lot of ups and downs. A lot more downs,”
said Bay, who is hitting .254 with 10 homers and 70 RBIs in two
seasons with New York. “It was nice, A, to be in that spot and, B,
to come through. It was great.”
Continued production from Bay would be a huge help with Reyes
nursing a left hamstring injury.
Reyes, baseball’s leader with a .354 average, sat out Sunday and
tests revealed a mild strain. However, he isn’t expected back until
Tuesday at the earliest and the Mets are considering resting him
through the break.
He was voted to be the NL’s starting shortstop in Arizona next
week.
“We have to take it one day at a time,” general manager Sandy
Alderson said. “We’re not making any predictions at the moment.
We’ll just see how he responds and the symptoms he demonstrates
over the next few days. I’m sure he’ll want to play. I’m sure he’ll
want to play in the All-Star game, etc. That’s something we have to
look at.”
The Mets have split four games without Reyes this season, and
manager Terry Collins isn’t worried about an extended absence.
“It’ll be a challenge but I think we’re going to be up for it,”
Collins said. “We’ve dealt with some adversity so far this season.
We’re resilient. We’ll bounce back.”
Reyes went 7 for 14 with three triples to help New York take two
of three from the Dodgers (37-48) at Citi Field in May.
The Mets will send Chris Capuano (7-7, 4.27 ERA) to the mound
hoping he can continue his winning ways.
The left-hander has won four of his last five starts overall
with a 2.40 ERA, and is 3-0 on the road during that stretch
However, he wasn’t very sharp Wednesday, surrendering five runs
and three homers in five innings but offense bailed him out in a
16-9 victory at Detroit.
Capuano is 0-2 with a 4.50 ERA in his last five games – four
starts – versus the Dodgers.
Los Angeles is opening a seven-game homestand heading into the
All-Star break after dropping four of six on a road trip that ended
with Sunday’s 3-1 loss to the Los Angeles Angels.
The Dodgers have lost nine of 13 at home, but they’ve taken six
of the last seven there against the Mets.
Matt Kemp, who will join Reyes on the All-Star team, is hitting
.375 with six homers and 15 RBIs in 20 career home games against
New York.
Rubby De La Rosa (3-3, 4.41) makes his first appearance against
the Mets for Los Angeles.
The right-hander was solid Wednesday, allowing one run in seven
innings of a 1-0 loss at Minnesota. He had allowed 10 runs in 10
2-3 innings over his two previous outings – both home losses.
