Hot Jose Returns, Bay Still Plays: Mets Lineup V. Marlins - August 7, 2012

Jose Reyes and his 24 game hitting streak return to Flushing. The former (it still kills me to write this) Mets SS has been on a rampage in raising his average to .288 and his OBP to .351. Hopefully this time the Flushing Faithful will cheer Jose and Jeer the Marlins.

Jason Bay will sit start tonight against the Marlin lefty Wade LeBlanc. Why it should matter whether the pitcher is right handed or left handed shouldn't matter; Bay isn't hitting the ball off a tee let along any pitcher no matter which side he throws from. If Mr. Bay goes 1-3 tonight, is that really enough to convince anyone that he is "back?" The Mets and their management have been loyal to the $16M annually they're paying Bay, but it's time to look in a different direction. Last thing they need is for his 2014 option to kick in. 

I like Bay, I really do, but this is his third horrible season, and each year he seems to get worse, not better. It's time to give Mike Baxter the chance to start everyday, not just against righties.

Tonight's Mets lineup:

1.  Ruben Tejada - SS
2.  Daniel Murphy - 1B
3.  David Wright - 3B
4.  Scott Hairston - RF
5.  Jason Bay - LF
6.  Ronny Cedeno - 2B
7.  Andres Torres - CF
8.  Josh Thole - C
9.  Jon Niese - LSP

Sources: Adam Rubin, Baseball Reference