When the Mets entered the season with one star after the other in the rotation, they probably didn’t think that Adam Wilk and Tommy Milone would be making starts by game 35.
Milone, a soft throwing lefty wig changes speeds and locations, will make his Met debut on Wednesday against the Giants.
“Those kinds of guys, it comes down to command,” Terry Collins said. “And when you command your stuff to the corners of the plate, you get outs.”
As a National, he made his debut in 2011 against the Mets and hit a three-run homer off Dillon Gee. He received a no-decision but got his first career win two starts later against the Mets. (Chris Schwinden was the Met starter for anybody wondering.)
That was Milone’s only start at Citi Field in his career and his only win as a National. The southpaw has bounced around, pitching for the A’s, Twins and Brewers. Milone had an ERA of 6.43 in six appearances (three starts) with Milwaukee before being released.
Adam Wilk had to pitch on very short notice on Sunday against the Marlins. Milone has had a few days to prepare but the Mets manager doesn’t want to put any pressure on the starter. “I try not to put expectations on and player,” Collins said. “He’s gotta go pitch, it’s been a few days since he’s pitched but he knows what he’s doing.”
Rafael Montero didn’t impress Sandy Alderson with his start against Miami in which he failed to make it out of the fourth inning. The general manager decided to go outside of the minors for pitching help. Now Milone, with a career record of 45-33, will get the start as the Mets look to sweep the Giants and move over .500 for the first time since being 8-7.