Here I am in lovely Pittsburgh at PNC Park — got a bunch of updates for you on everything from Pedro to Castro to Chavez to the lineup. I’ll keep ’em brief: -Pedro made his second rehab start today, going against the Gulf Coast League Dodgers. He sat down the first 10 batters but ultimately gave up three runs on three hits and a walk in four innings. He tossed 60 pitches (47 strikes), striking out four. Then he tossed 20 more fastballs in the bullpen afterwards.
It was Pedro’s second start, so one of the biggest questions is what was better or different from his first one last Wednesday. Mets VP of development Tony Bernazard said that “what we hear is that his command was better.”
The next step? It’s TBD, depending on how Pedro feels.
-Bernazard said Endy Chavez could play in minor league rehab games “hopefully within a week.”
-Interesting lineup tonight — David Wright’s hitting third, with Carlos Beltran fourth. Not sure I really like it, especially since when the Mets acquired Luis Castillo, one of the things Omar Minaya said was that the Mets would have “three switch-hitters at the top of the lineup” — Reyes, Castillo and Beltran.
Willie Randolph, though, mentioned that doing this allows Wright to definitely bat in the first inning (he’s been a more potent hitter than Beltran has this season) and said that Wright’s been running more often this season than Beltran has (Wright has 27 steal attempts, while Beltran has 17, albeit Wright has played in 17 more games).
-Mike DiFelice is catching tonight. Ramon Castro had a cortisone shot for his arthritic back yesterday and said he believed he could play but didn’t sound too convincing. He still feels tightness.
-As for my series pick, I’m drowning lately — four straight L’s. If I can’t get the Pirates one right, I should retire. Mets take two of three.
MY STANDINGS:
SERIES PICKED: 37
SERIES I GOT RIGHT: 19