El Duque, Mets get first look at Hill
Washington (2-9) at New York (7-3), 1:10 p.m. ET
By Marty Noble / MLB.com
Willie Randolph graduated from the "see the ball, hit the ball" school. He questions the benefits of the video scouting players are wont to do nowadays, especially when they prepare to face a starting pitcher they've never seen.
The Mets manager respects the effort and hours players put into their preparation. But he also believes, "They end up giving too much credit to some [pitcher] they've never faced."
That sort of scenario could develop Saturday afternoon, when the Mets and Nationals play the second game of their weekend series. The Nationals starter is right-handed Shawn Hill, who the Mets have never faced.
"When you face a pitcher you don't know," Randolph said, "Swing the bat, be aggressive."
Pitching matchup
NYM: RHP Orlando Hernandez (1-0, 1.38 ERA)
El Duque's career ERA in 11 games and 76 innings at Shea Stadium is 2.61, his lowest ERA in any park in which he has pitched at least 75 innings.
WAS: RHP Shawn Hill (0-2, 3.09 ERA)
Left-handed hitters are batting .278 with a .389 slugging percentage against Hill. The corresponding numbers for right-handed hitters are .231 and .231.
Players to watch
Carlos Beltran reached base 32 times and scored 14 runs in 68 plate appearances against the Nationals last season.
For Washington, Austin Kearns has two home runs, a double and a single in eight career at-bats against El Duque.
Washington (2-9) at New York (7-3), 1:10 p.m. ET
By Marty Noble / MLB.com
Willie Randolph graduated from the "see the ball, hit the ball" school. He questions the benefits of the video scouting players are wont to do nowadays, especially when they prepare to face a starting pitcher they've never seen.
The Mets manager respects the effort and hours players put into their preparation. But he also believes, "They end up giving too much credit to some [pitcher] they've never faced."
That sort of scenario could develop Saturday afternoon, when the Mets and Nationals play the second game of their weekend series. The Nationals starter is right-handed Shawn Hill, who the Mets have never faced.
"When you face a pitcher you don't know," Randolph said, "Swing the bat, be aggressive."
Pitching matchup
NYM: RHP Orlando Hernandez (1-0, 1.38 ERA)
El Duque's career ERA in 11 games and 76 innings at Shea Stadium is 2.61, his lowest ERA in any park in which he has pitched at least 75 innings.
WAS: RHP Shawn Hill (0-2, 3.09 ERA)
Left-handed hitters are batting .278 with a .389 slugging percentage against Hill. The corresponding numbers for right-handed hitters are .231 and .231.
Players to watch
Carlos Beltran reached base 32 times and scored 14 runs in 68 plate appearances against the Nationals last season.
For Washington, Austin Kearns has two home runs, a double and a single in eight career at-bats against El Duque.
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