R.A. Dickey Wants To Prove He Fits, Mets Face Nationals in Rubber Game

WASHINGTON, D.C.-- Over the past couple of days, the Mets have started a couple of young pitchers. On Saturday, 20-year-old Jenrry Mejia made his first Major League start. Last night, 24-year-old Dillon Gee made his first Major League start.

In the spring of 2011, the Mets should have two rotation spots open, and right now the auditions have begun. Assuming Johan Santana, Mike Pelfrey, and Jon Niese are three locks to be starting for the Mets next season, three guys are fighting for two spots right now.

Along with the two aforementioned young pitchers, R.A. Dickey has thrown his hat into the ring. He actually threw it in back in mid-May, and for a long time impressed the entire league, not just the Mets. Recently, he may have lost his status as a lock for 2011.

Dickey will pitch for the Mets today, and two of his last three starts have been bad, albeit his last one coming at windy Wrigley Field.

Three starts ago on August 24 against the Marlins, he allowed five runs and 10 hits in seven innings. After a great outing against the Astros, he struggled against the Cubs in his last start on Friday afternoon.

When the wind is blowing out at Wrigley, that doesn't favor any pitcher. When the conditions are like that with a knuckler on the mound, it leads to a disaster.

It's just impossible to control a floating knuckleball with swirling winds blowing out. At times, the knuckleball is supposed to fall down once it gets to the plate. When there's gusting wind, it stays level and is basically on a tee. Dickey got lit up for seven runs and eight hits in six innings, including two three-run home runs.

Nonetheless, Dickey has taken a step back over the past two weeks after complete domination. With young guys coming up through the farm system, and with Dickey being 35-years-old, he'll have to pitch well in his final four starts and next spring to make the starting rotation in 2011.

Going for the Nationals will be former Met Livan Hernandez. The 35-year-old Cuban defector and 14-year Major League veteran has had a decent season, but has fizzled lately as usual.

Hernandez as he's gotten older, usually fatigues late in season, a reason why the Mets released him last season. Up until his last three starts, he was still going strong. His last three starts though have been terible.

He has gone 1-2 with a 12.00 ERA, while allowing 11 more hits than innings pitched, and hitters are batting .394 against him. His last start on Friday in Pittsburgh was horrible. In 4.1 innings, he allowed eight runs on eight hits and a home run.

If he's going to do any better in today's game, he'd better watch out for the bat of Ike Davis. The Mets rookie first baseman has been red-hot after a cold spell, hitting his third home run in four games last night. In his last four games, he's 8-for-15 with three home runs and seven runs batted in.

The Mets should also have David Wright back in the lineup today after missing last night's game with a bruised left ring finger. Wright crushes Hernandez lifetime, going 12-for-39 against him (.308), with four home runs and 10 runs batted in.

So, with the way Hernandez has been pitching, and with the Mets lineup either feasting in general or against him, they should have some success.

Shortstop Jose Reyes is ready to play and will return to the lineup Friday night against the first-place Phillies. Mets manager Jerry Manuel said last night that Reyes told him he could play, but two more days off wouldn't hurt. The Mets have an off day on Thursday.

They're 3-6 on the current 10-game trip that ends today, as the veteran hurlers will battle out a rubber match in the Nation's Capital.

R.A. Dickey vs. Washington this season (2 starts)
0-0, 1.38 ERA, 13 IP, 11 hits, 6 BB, 6 SO

Livan Hernandez vs. New York this season (3 starts)
1-0, 1.33 ERA, 20.1 IP, 16 hits, 6 BB, 10 SO

2010 season series (New York vs. Washington)
April 9: New York 8, Washington 2
April 10: Washington 4, New York 3
April 11: Washington 5, New York 2

May 10: Washington 3, New York 2
May 11: New York 8, Washington 6
May 12: Washington 6, New York 4

May 19: Washington 5, New York 3
May 20: New York 10, Washington 7

July 1: Washington 2, New York 1
July 2: New York 5, Washington 3
July 3: Washington 6, New York 5
July 4: New York 9, Washington 5

Sept. 6: Washington 13, New York 3
Sept. 7: New York 4, Washington 1
Nationals lead series 8-6