The Mets kick off a three game set against the Washington Nationals tonight at 7:10 EST. The pitchers will be Odalis Perez for the Nats, and Mike Pelfrey for the Mets. Pelfrey was strong in his first start of the season, allowing two runs in five innings against the Phillies last Wednesday.

Lineup:

• SS Jose Reyes
• RF Ryan Church
• 3B David Wright
• CF Carlos Beltran
• 1B Carlos Delgado
• LF Angel Pagan
• C Brian Schneider
• 2B Luis Castillo
• P Mike Pelfrey

Castillo batting 8th, Church 2nd tonight.. interesting. Im guessing Willie wants a little more “pop” at the top of the lineup with the team struggling.

As always, head on over to The Hot Foot Bleachers to chat during the game, where booing is optional and discouraged.

Game three on a Sunday afternoon as the Brewers and Mets square off. The Mets are down with OP (yeah you know me). Ollie has pitched the last 11 and 2/3rds of ball without giving up a run, and the Shea faithful hope he can add to that number. In his two starts, Ollie has one win and 10k, but has given up 8 hits. The only number that matters though, is that 0 runs. If he can continue that streak and go long, it will be a pleasant Sunday in Flushing. He faces Jeff Suppan, a career 3-2 against the Mets with a 2.81 ERA. He was 4.38 against the Mets last year, and he’s given up 7 Met homeruns in just eight games.

lineups:

• LF Pagan
• 2B Castillo
• 3B Wright
• CF Beltran
• 1B Delgado
• RF Church
• SS Easley
• C Schneider
• P Perez

Angel Pagan is hitting .371 so far this season, and has hit in his last five games. Wright is 4 for 9 against Suppan, with 3 walks. Both Carloses have struggled against the Brewers, going 221 and 223 respectively. Luis Castillo is making his second start after sitting a few days with knee problems.  He went hitless yesterday, as well as his three previous games. All four of his hits to date came against the Marlins.

Gametime is 1:10, listen on WFAN or watch on the CW. As always, feel free to visit the Hot Foot Bleachers, to discuss the game, Mets baseball, or why you’re ashamed of yourself for booing your own team and how you’ll make up for it by supporting them. Jerk.

The Mets (5-4) face the Brewers (6-4) in the Shea Stadium debut of Johan Santana. The pitching matchup is a special one. The Brewers counter Santana with Ben Sheets, and should be a classic pitchers duel. Today’s lineup comes courtesy of David Lennon’s blog for Newsday. Lennon will be liveblogging the game here.

Brewers

• Weeks 2B
• Kapler CF
• Fielder 1B
• Braun LF
• Hall 3B
• Hart RF
• Hardy SS
• Sheets P
• Kendall C

Mets

• Pagan LF
• Castillo 2B
• Wright 3B
• Beltran CF
• Delgado 1B
• Church RF
• Easley SS
• Schneider C
• Santana P

The game will be broadcasted on SNY as well as on the radio at WFAN.

Enjoy the game with your follow fans in the Hot Foot Bleachers where we will be toasting Brooklyn’s own Nelson Figueroa and cheering the debut of Johan at Shea.

Providing the weather holds up (Oh Di Martino, where are you?) the Mets (4-4) and their beloved canine fans will take on the Milwaukee Brewers (6-3) at Shea. Starting for the Mets will be RHP Nelson Figueroa who was 2-2 during his 8 appearances this spring. Facing Figueroa tonight will be LHP Manny Parra who is currently 1-0 with a 3.38 ERA.

And now your starting lineups, courtesy of David Lennon’s blog for Newsday:

METS

• SS Jose Reyes
• LF Angel Pagan
• 3B David Wright
• CF Carlos Beltran
• 1B Carlos Delgado
• 2B Damion Easley
• RF Ryan Church
• C Raul Casanova
• P Nelson Figueroa

Nothing terribly remarkable about this line up except the absence of Brian Schneider. I did think that Castillo was going to make an appearance tonight but I guess not.

The game is scheduled for a 7:10 start and it only seems to be misting at Shea. As always, head on over to the Hot Foot Bleachers to discuss the game with the Hot Foot writers and another fans.

Oh! And in honor of today being Dog Day at Shea, I invite all of you to share picture of your pets showing their Mets pride.

Metsgal’s dog Gwen sporting some Mets gear!

The Mets (2-4) take on the Phillies (4-4) in game 2 of this 3 game series at Shea Stadium. After yesterday’s home opener, the Mets have now lost 9 games in a row to the Phillies.

Mets Lineup:

• SS Jose Reyes
• LF Angel Pagan
• 3B David Wright
• CF Carlos Beltran
• 1B Carlos Delgado
• RF Ryan Church
• 2B Damion Easley
• C Brian Schneider
• P Mike Pelfrey

Phillies Lineup:

• CF Shane Victorino
• SS Eric Bruntlett
• 2B Chase Utley
• 1B Ryan Howard
• LF Pat Burrell
• RF Geoff Jenkins
• 3B Pedro Feliz
• C Carlos Ruiz
• SP Kyle Kendrick

Jimmy Rollins was originally slated to play in tonight’s game, but was scratched after the Phillies pregame stretching.

Damion Easley will replace Luis Castillo, who is day to day with knee soreness.

Mike Pelfrey will make his ‘08 debut after a less than stellar spring, in which he gave up 16 hits and 8 ER in 13 IP. He will be opposed by Kyle Kendrick who allowed 4 runs and 8 hits over 5 innings in his first outing vs the Reds.

Catch the game starting shortly after 7pm on SNY. As always, head on over to the Hot Foot Bleachers, to chat about the game, and how the season is over after just 6 games.

If Pelfrey can keep the ball low in the zone and has good movement on his fastball, we might be okay. But that’s a big IF.

Happy Opening Day Part Deux!

Today is the final Opening Day at Shea Stadium after 44 years of memories.

The Mets (2-3) battle the Phillies (3-4) in the first game of what should be a great year-long battle for the NL East. Today’s lineups are courtesy of John Delcos at his blog for The Journal News.

The Phillies:

• SS Rollins
• CF Victorino
• 2B Utley
• 1B Howard
• LF Burrell
• RF Werth
• 3B Feliz
• C Ruiz
• P Moyer

The Mets:

• SS Reyes
• 2B Castillo
• 3B Wright
• CF Beltran
• 1B Delgado
• LF Pagan
• RF Church
• C Schneider
• P Perez

Oliver Perez will start today, after a brilliant 6 shutout inning performance last Wednesday in Florida. Jaime Moyer will start for the Phillies. Moyer lasted only 3 2/3 innings in his first start.

Catch the game starting at 1:10pm on SNY. Pregame ceremonies start at 12:30 where the Mets will honor the late William Shea and his family. As always, head on over to the Hot Foot Bleachers, to chat about the game and any fun new ways we can taunt Jimmy Rollins.

The Mets and Braves face off to kind of sort of end their first matchup of the season, give or take a rain out.

Johan Santana will look to put us back in the win column and make right what once went wrong. Santana has just two career starts against the Braves, earning a 3.09 ERA and a loss, but with just 11 career innings against the old men of Atlanta, there isn’t much too create stats out of. Smoltz however, has a few more innings against the Mets. 288 more. In 68 appearances vs the Mets, Smoltz has a 3.42 ERA mixed between relief and starting appearances, with both saves and complete games. The Met ace of the future. The Brave ace of eternity. Who will win? There can be only one.

Lineup:

• SS Reyes
• 2B Castillo
• 3B Wright
• CF Beltran
• 1B Delgado
• LF Pagan
• RF Church
• C Schneider
• P Santana

David Wright had trouble yesterday, and it could continue today. He’s just .238 in 42 at bats vs Smoltz, though almost a third of the hits he has off him are homeruns, and half are for extra bases. So hey, if he does make a connection, at least it might be something useful. Carlos Beltran has six doubles for the season, which is a lot. He has just one career vs Smoltz, and another 12 against Atlanta. Jose Reyes is a .309 hitter against him, .319 against Atlanta in general, with an impressive seven triples off the Braves, going alongside 7 homeruns and 19 doubles. Despite being a Sunday day game, no Raul Casanova. Sorry folks. Like you, we here at the Foot are crying on the inside over it.

Gametime is 1:35 on SNY and the WFAN, your places for Mets audio and visual stimuli. For discourse both intelligent and otherwise on the game, head by the Hot Foot Bleachers, where we all enjoy a good Keith Hernandez mustache dye commercial.

Weather permitting, the Mets will have their first match-up today against the Braves at Turner Field. The game is scheduled for a 3:55pm start and will be the nationally televised Game of The Week on FOX and can also be heard as always on WFAN.

Here is today’s line up, courtesy of John Delcos at his blog for the Journal News:

• SS Jose Reyes
• 2B Luis Castillo
• 3B David Wright
• CF Carlos Beltran
• 1B Carlos Delgado
• RF Ryan Church
• LF Angel Pagan
• C Brian Schneider
• RH John Maine

Pitching Match-Ups:

Mets: RHP John Maine will take the mound for his first regular season start. Maine was 3-1 in 7 starts this spring, leading all NL pitchers with a 1.53 ERA.

Braves: Returning to the mound after pitching in his 5th Opening Day start, RHP Tim Hudson will take the mound for the Braves.

As always, head on over to the Hot Foot Bleachers to chat with the Hot Foot writers, as well as loyal fans. Just watch out, rain delays get us a little nutty!

With all the commotion surrounding Pedro Martinez and his injured hamstring, there is still a game to be played tonight.

The Mets (1-1) and the Marlins (1-1) square off in the finale of this 3 game series. Lineups for tonight’s game are courtesy of John Delcos from his blog for the Journal News

The Mets:

• SS Reyes
• 2B Castillo
• 3B Wright
• CF Beltran
• 1B Delgado
• LF Pagan
• RF Church
• C Schneider
• P Perez

The Marlins:

• SS Ramirez
• 2B Uggla
• 1B Jacobs
• LF Willingham
• 3B Cantu
• CF Ross
• RF Carroll
• C Hoover
• P Miller

Oliver Perez will start for the Mets and Andrew Miller will make his first start for the Marlins since coming over from Detroit in the Cabrera-Willis trade.

Catch the game shortly after 7pm on SNY. As always, head on over to the Hot Foot Bleachers to chat about the game, Pedro and announce your candidacy for the Mets 5th starter.

Happy Opening Day!

After 6 months of waiting, it’s finally here.  2007 is behind us and we’re all looking ahead to blue skies and endless possibilities for the upcoming season.

The Mets begin their campaign on the road to take on the Florida Marlins. 

The Lineup:

• SS Reyes
• 2B Castillo
• 3B Wright
• CF Beltran
• 1B Delgado
• LF Pagan
• RF Church
• C Schneider
• P Santana

Johan Santana makes his much anticipated debut for the Mets today.  Mark Hendrickson will start for the Marlins.   

Catch the game starting at 4:10pm on SNY.  As always, head on over to the Hot Foot Bleachers to chat during the game. 

This is it.  The wait is finally over.  No more time for talk or speculation.  Time to play.

In the year’s Civil Rights Game, the NYM Mets will take on the Chicago White Sox at Autozone Park in Memphis, Tn.

Here is your starting line up:

Mets:

• SS Jose Reyes
• 2B Luis Castillo
• 3B David Wright
• CF Carlos Beltran
• 1B Carlos Delgado
• RF Ryan Church
• LF Angel Pagan
• C Brian Schneider
• DH Brady Clark

White Sox:

• CF Nick Swisher
• SS Juan Uribe
• DH Jim Thorme
• 1B Paul Konerko
• RF Jermaine Dye
• C A.J. Pierzynski
• 3B Joe Crede
• LF Carlos Quentin
• 2B Pablo Ozuna

Your starting pitchers:

Mets: Making his 6th start of the spring, RHP John Maine enters today with the second best ERA this spring among NL pitchers with 1.78 and leads the NL with 28 strikeouts.

White Sox:  RHP Jose Contreras was 10-17 last season, with a 5.57 ERA and 1.56 WHIP.

The ceremonies begin at 5:05pm EST and can be seen  on ESPN and for FREE on MLB.tv at Mets.com. As always, join us in the Hot Foot Bleachers for the game.

Today, in the Grapefruit League finale, the Mets take on the Baltimore Orioles. Here is your starting lineup, with Angel Pagan being replaced today by Fernando Tatis, perhaps in an effort to give coaches another look at him as roster decisions will soon need to be made.

Reyes, ss
Castillo, 2b
Wright, 3b
Beltran, cf
Delgado, 1b
Church, rf
Tatis, lf
Schneider, c
Clark, dh

Adam Rubin on his Daily News blog provides the lineup and reports that Steven Register is headed back to the Rockies.

Join us in the Hot Foot Bleachers to weigh in on the fifth starter and come up with nasty rumors to prevent other teams from wanting to pick up Ruben Gotay on waivers.

I thought Register pitched well this spring and with the uncertainty of Sanchez should have been given a chance. Its seems like the Mets have more faith in Joe Smith, who will likely take his place on the roster.

The Mets travel to Ft. Lauderdale to take on the Orioles in Spring Training action. The lineup is courtesy of David Lennon’s blog for Newsday.

Mets:

• SS Reyes
• 2B Castillo
• 3B Wright
• 1B Easley
• DH Anderson
• LF Tatis
• RF Church
• CF Clark
• C Schneider

John Maine will take the mound for the Mets. He will look to add on to his already impressive spring. In 5 starts this spring, Maine has surrendered only 16 hits over 19.1 IP with an era of 2.33

Catch the game on MLB.tv if you have it. If not, head on over to the Hot Foot Bleachers and chat about what you think is going on and why i thought Fernando Tatis was Fernando Vina.

Now that spring draws to a close, El Duque is set to pitch to something that resembles opposing players, making his Grapefruit League debut. At stake: a rotation spot. Mike Pelfrey will pitch the second half of the game with the winner possible taking all, if one calls the spot as a fifth starter in April ‘all’. Which granted, most wouldn’t. Duaner Sanchez, Aaron Heilman and Billy Wagner will also pitch, just not for the Mets, as they go play with the kids in the minor leaguers.

Lineups you say?

• S Reyes
• 2B Castillo
• 3B Wright
• CF Beltran
• 1B Delgado
• LF Pagan
• RF Church
• C Casanova
• P Duque

Schneider is out of the lineup, but will be playing the part of the Easter Bunny, hiding chocolate eggs for Pedro, Johan, and Joe Smith to find during the seventh inning stretch. Casanova gets the playing time, because…well because he is the only catcher that has all of his limbs in a fully functional manner. Where’s your Johnny Estrada now?

Game time is 1:10, and can be watched on the CW. Come chat about the game you’re watching while avoiding your family in the Hot Foot Bleachers, where we’ll also be discussing the fifth rotation spot, the upcoming Opening Day, and Metsgal’s recipe for her world famous Easter Toast.