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It may seem strange to be concerned about a starting pitcher with a 2.19 ERA, but Dan Haren's three outings since the All-Star Break have definitely been concerning. While an ERA of 3.50 is still by no means bad, his last two starts have lasted only five innings, and the K:BB ratio in the second half has been below 3:1, compared to better than 8:1 in the first half. Small sample size noted, his WHIP is 50% higher than it was. I'd like to see Haren get back to being the dominant force he was, and facing the Mets line-up in a pitcher-friendly park might be the place to do it.
Figueroa is - forceful comments in his defense aside - a career journeyman, and beating up on Triple-A prospects as a 35-year old does not change that fact. He pitched overseas in 2007, becoming MVP of the Taiwin Series, and actually made his debut as a Diamondback in June 2000. He only pitched three times for us, being part of the Schilling trade with the Phillies. He hasn't had a major-league ERA+ better than 93 since 2003, so if he ends up pitching a quality start against us, I am going to be highly peeved.
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
- Dan Haren P
Reynolds back in the line-up, so let's see if he can go deep once again at Citi Field. Whitesell gets the start at 1B, and Young is back in CF. Should be about for most of this one, and am optimistic we can win it and take three out of four in Met-town.