8/8/17 Game Preview: Texas Rangers at New York Mets

Los Angeles Dodgers v New York Mets

The home debut of Amed Rosario was far from a success for the New York Mets (49-60) last weekend. The Mets were predictably swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers, the best team in baseball, and fell eleven games below .500 for the first time since 2014. With this year being a lost cause, the Mets are trying to integrate young talent and showcase the veterans that cleared waivers to add more prospects to their farm system. That process continues today as the Mets welcome the Texas Rangers (53-58) to town for a two game series. First pitch for tonight’s game is scheduled for 7:10 pm at Citi Field.

8/8/17 Game Preview: Texas Rangers at New York Mets
NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 06: Cody Bellinger #35 of the Los Angeles Dodgers follows through on an eighth inning two run home run against the New York Mets at Citi Field on August 6, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

The Mets will send right hander Chris Flexen (0-1, 12.00 ERA) to the mound tonight. Flexen lasted only three innings in his last start, giving up five runs against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field last Wednesday, but left early due to a blister issue. The Mets ended up coming back to win that game 10-5, bailing out Flexen and saving him from a second consecutive loss. The Rangers will counter with righty Andrew Cashner (7-8, 3.36 ERA). Cashner picked up his third consecutive win in his last start, giving up one run in six innings to defeat the Seattle Mariners last Wednesday.

Local Coverage:

Television: SNY

Radio: WOR

New York Mets Lineup:

  1. CF Michael Conforto
  2. 3B Asdrubal Cabrera
  3. RF Jay Bruce
  4. LF Yoenis Cespedes
  5. 1B Neil Walker
  6. 2B Jose Reyes
  7. C Travis d’Arnaud
  8. SS Amed Rosario
  9. SP Chris Flexen

Pre-Game Notes:

  • The Mets and Rangers split a two game series in Arlington back in June.
  • The Rangers haven’t visited Citi Field since 2014, when the Mets won two out of three.
  • Cashner is 0-3 with a 6.18 ERA in nine career appearances (four starts) against the Mets.
  • After missing the last two days with a stiff neck, Jay Bruce is back in the Mets’ lineup. Bruce will play right field and bat third.
  • Neil Walker will make his first start at first base tonight and bat fifth. Jose Reyes will draw the start at second and bat sixth.
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