On-Base Perception

ST. LOUIS -- Mets manager Terry Collins is getting hammered on sports talk radio today, which is predictable since he ventured into choppy waters by invoking fans in his defense of the way he's handled the Jordany Valdespin situation.

But what can't get lost in the noise is that within the context of the conversation yesterday, it's clear that Collins' main point wasn't to rip fans, but to...

A few notes as the Mets prepare to take on the Pirates on Thursday night:

1. Manager Terry Collins put a priority on loading the lineup with righthanded bats against Pirates lefty Jeff Locke. So, that means Ike Davis, Lucas Duda and Jordany Valdespin will watch as the Mets go with Justin Turner, Juan Lagares and Marlon Byrd.

Collins said the slumping Davis figures to be back in the lineup...

ATLANTA -- Just like many of his peers, Mets manager Terry Collins routinely leaves himself open for second guessing. Whether it be his lineup construction, or bullpen management or in-game decision making, he has never shied away from cutting against the grain.

After all, Collins is the same man who ordered an intentional walk of Donovan Solano on Monday even after he fell behind in the count...

ATLANTA -- The Mets' outfield carousel turned once more on Friday when the team demoted Collin Cowgill and replaced him with Andrew Brown.

Cowgill hit a grand slam on Opening Day, though his performance only slid downhill from there. After a reduction in his playing time, Cowgill was ultimately optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas with a .157 average with two homers and eight RBIs in 19 games.

The...

MIAMI -- Mets manager Terry Collins said on Wednesday morning that he's been pleased with his team's approach at the plate, even though that approach hasn't led to any results.

While the Mets continue to work counts, he said the issue has stemmed from simply missing good pitches to hit, and failing to do damage against opposing bullpens. Hitting coach Dave Hudgens echoed the message, preaching...

Mets pitcher Jonathon Niese will stay on his regular routine. That's a good sign two days after he left a start early, forced out when he took a comebacker off the lower portion of his right leg.

Niese intended to throw a bullpen session on Thursday though he had considered bumping the it back a day to Friday. In either case, Niese has remained confident about making his next start on time....

Ike Davis and Lucas Duda have started the season on opposite ends of spectrum. While Davis has endured another slow start to the year, Duda has flourished.

But on Thursday, the two traded places in the starting lineup, with Duda moving into the cleanup spot while Davis was dropped to sixth. Manager Terry Collins said on Sunday that coaches discussed a possible swap but decided against it for...

A few notes before the undefeated Matt Harvey faces the Dodgers:

-- Lefthander Jonathon Niese said he's on track to make his next scheduled start on Sunday. Niese left his start on Tuesday when he took a comebacker off his lower right leg, leaving him with what the team called a contusion. Niese may push his normal bullpen back to Friday, and he might throw an abbreviated session, though he...

Lucas Duda ranks third in all of baseball with a 1.199 OPS. He's reaching base and hitting for power, the exact combination that any team could use in the middle of the lineup. But even though Mets coaches have discussed moving Duda into the cleanup spot -- which is currently occupied by Ike Davis -- manager Terry Collins said that he's content to leave Duda where he is.

On Sunday against...

Shaun Marcum's long awaited Mets debut may come in less than a week. Assuming no setbacks, the Mets have the veteran righthander slated to return on Saturday, which is the next time the team needs a fifth starter in the rotation.

Lefthander Aaron Laffey would have been the most likely alternative to make the start on Saturday. However, Laffey was designated for assignment to make room for...