Just Mets

The Mets will look to take Game 2 and win their series against the Phillies tonight at Citi Field at 7:10 PM.

Here is today’s starting lineup for New York:

Curtis Granderson – RF
Juan Lagares – CF
Lucas Duda – 1B
Daniel Murphy – 2B
Michael Cuddyer – LF
Wilmer Flores – SS
Eric Campbell – 3B
Kevin Plawecki – C
Jacob deGrom – RHP

Here is tonight’s pitching matchup:

Jacob deGrom (5-4, 2.75 ERA) will start for the Mets.

Key matchups vs deGrom:

Ryan Howard: 2-for-9, HR, 3 RBI, 2 K
Chase Utley: 2-for-7, 2 BB, K

Jerome Williams (3-4, 5.44 ERA) will start for the Phillies.

Key matchups vs Williams:

Curtis Granderson: 2-for-11, HR, 3 RBI, 2 K
Lucas Duda: 2-for-6, HR, RBI
Michael Cuddyer: 2-for-4, 2B, RBI, K

Here are some things I’m looking for tonight:

The kid is all right?

Wilmer Flores sure has been hot topic of conversation this season in Metsland. As the boos have occasionally reined down, the scrutiny–which has been fair–over his defense has been exclaimed and the talk of the Troy Tulowitzkis, Starlin Castros and Addison Russells of the world have gone on among fans and journalists, Flores has, perhaps quietly, been playing pretty well of late. While his defense still isn’t spectacular, and likely never will be, he has looked better fielding his position over the last few weeks.

One thing you can’t argue is his bat. While his on-base percentage is under .300 on the season, something you definitely want to see improve, he’s been wielding a powerful bat at a position that lacks that very attribute. Flores is currently tied with Jhonny Peralta of the Cardinals for most home runs by a major league shortstop (7), and has more homers than Tulowtizki (2) and Castro (3) combined.

As he continues to grow more and more confidence, I hope to see more positives from Wilmer both offensively and defensively tonight.

Home field advantage.

For whatever the reason may be, so far in 2015, the Mets have had a distinct home field advantage–something we haven’t been able to say about this team in quite awhile. After struggling so mightily in Pittsburgh over the weekend–scoring four combined runs in three games–the Mets broke out for six runs on Monday at home, with five of those runs coming via the long ball. The Mets have lost one series at home all season, and have a chance to keep the good vibes at home going as they can capture yet another series victory with a win tonight.