Gee On Mound As Mets Look For Sweep Start To 2013
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The forecast for Thursday afternoon in Flushing calls for sun, a light wind and temperatures around 50 degrees.
Sounds like a beautiful day for a sweep.
The Mets are looking to put the brooms to the Padres at Citi Field with right-hander Dillon Gee on the mound.
A win on Thursday would give the club its second straight season-opening sweep. New York won four consecutive games to begin 2012, including its first three against the Atlanta Braves.
The Mets have had terrific starts so far from their young 1-2 punch at the top of the rotation. Matt Harvey followed up Jon Niese's Opening Day effort with a dazzler of his own on Wednesday, allowing only one hit over seven scoreless innings while striking out 10.
John Buck
"This guy is one of the hardest-working guys I've ever seen," said first baseman Ike Davis. "He's exactly what you want a young guy in the future of your organization to be like."
Fans expected Niese and Harvey to keep the Mets competitive in their starts. But the Flushing faithful might not have expected an offensive outburst in Queens.
The Mets have scored 19 runs in their first two games. Davis, outfielder Lucas Duda and catcher John Buck each knocked a two-run homer Wednesday night.
Newcomers Collin Cowgill and Marlon Byrd have been impressive with the bat, too.
"Both Duda and Ike off a lefty is huge," manager Terry Collins said. "If those two guys are swinging the bats like they can and driving in runs by hitting the ball in the seats, it's going to be a tough lineup to get through. There's going to be no breaks, because John Buck can do it. We know Marlon can do it."
The Padres hope starter Eric Stults is up to the task.
"We need to get a win, no doubt about it," said San Diego manager Bud Black. "Stultzie has had a good couple of starts at the end of spring and he's capable of pitching a great game."
Stults went 8-3 with a 2.91 ERA in 15 starts last season.
Gee will be on the mound for the Mets. The 26-year-old went 6-7 with a 4.10 ERA in 2012. A blood clot in his right shoulder put an end to last year's campaign after only 17 starts.
The Mets will stay at home through the weekend for a three-game set against the Miami Marlins before heading out for a 10-game road trip.
Will the Mets get it done Thursday? Make your prediction in the comments!
