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There are only two ten-game losers in the major-leagues who have an ERA+ better than 100. Both of them play for Arizona: Jon Garland (102) and Doug Davis (120), both with 5-10 records. It's the latter who will take the mound for Arizona this evening in New York, trying to achieve some redemption and get that W-L record back towards a winning one. Though, have to say, with maybe a dozen starts left, the odds of Davis going 7-2 or thereabouts down the stretch seem pretty slim, even if the offense pays off a few of those IOUs they've given him so far.
The radar guns can be forgiven for falling asleep tonight, as our soft-tossing lefty goes up against an even softer-tossing righty, in the shape of former Diamondback, Livan Hernandez. Arizona fans have a special place in their hearts for Livan, most probably for his work in Game 3 of the 2007 NLDS, when he completed the sweep of the Cubs at Wrigley. He has faced Arizona once since then, taking the win against us last June with seven typically Livan-esque innings of one-run ball, scattering seven hits.
Line-up
- Stephen Drew SS
- Gerardo Parra LF
- Justin Upton RF
- Mark Reynolds 3B
- Miguel Montero C
- Ryan Roberts 2B
- Josh Whitesell 1B
- Chris Young CF
- Doug Davis P
Word is that it's raining at Citi Field, so there may be a delay in store for us. The Mets played a double-header yesterday [meaning we will likely not have to face Johan Santana this series], so they probably won't mind too much, but I hope it's not held off too long. Doesn't look too good for an early start...