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On-Base Perception

Newsday's new all-encompassing baseball blog on the Yankees, Mets, MLB and more from around the sport.

Mets-Twins game postponed due to wintry weather

Steam rises as crews use hot water to

Photo credit: AP

 

MINNEAPOLIS -- Frigid temperatures and snow flurries forced the postponement of Sunday's scheduled Mets-Twins matchup. The game will be made up Aug. 19 at 1:10 p.m. on the way back from a West Coast road trip. It will be the Mets' 11th road game in 11 days.

With the postponement, the Mets could have skipped fifth starter Aaron Laffey in the rotation. Instead, Laffey will...

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Mets' Ike Davis no slouch against left-handed pitching

Ike Davis reacts after striking out in the

Photo credit: Jim McIsaac

Ike Davis was batting .136 and the Mets were facing lefthander Cliff Lee. The decision seemed easy enough for Mets manager Terry Collins: Keep the lefthanded-hitting Davis on the bench.

The decision to hold Davis out of Tuesday’s 8-3 loss to the Phillies continued a trend started last September when the Mets often benched Davis when there was a lefty on the mound.

On the surface, it...

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For Mets, the weather watch never stops

Sandy Alderson speaks about pitcher Johan Santana during

Photo credit: AP

MINNEAPOLIS -- Following last night's 16-5 victory over the Twins, Mets manager Terry Collins shook hands with his players. They felt like ice cubes. It shouldn't be as bad on Saturday afternoon, when the Mets and Twins will play in 35-degree weather around first pitch.

However, the Mets might not see even passable weather for the next five days.

Forecasts are calling for an 80 percent...

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Mets' starting lineup a no 'Spin zone

Jordany Valdespin hits an RBI-single during the eighth

Photo credit: AP

MINNEAPOLIS -- Jordany Valdespin has excelled in the leadoff spot. He also looked good on Friday night patrolling the wide expanse that is center field here at Target Field. On the Mets' current road trip, Valdespin is 6-for-12.

Just as he was in camp, Valdespin is swinging one of the hottest bats on the team.

Yet, against Twins lefthander Scott Diamond on Saturday, Valdespin will watch...

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Eduardo Nunez suffers bruised right wrist after being hit by pitch

Eduardo Nunez grimaces while helped to the dugout

Photo credit: AP

Yankees infielder Eduardo Nunez left Friday night's game against the Baltimore Orioles with a right wrist contusion after being hit on the right wrist by a Miguel Gonzalez pitch in the bottom of the second inning.

He immediately doubled over in pain and grimaced, reacting to the pain for a long period of time, which prompted Joe Girardi and a trainer to examine him on the field.

After...

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Snow shouldn't delay Mets-Twins game

David Wright of the Mets reacts as snow

Photo credit: Getty Images

MINNEAPOLIS -- Snow flurries blanketed Target Field on Friday night as the Mets took batting practice. But even with the stands nearly empty, it appears that the Twins intend to begin this game as scheduled at 8:10 p.m.

The Mets will have three days of the designated hitter and Lucas Duda will get those duties first. However, manager Terry Collins said he will spread around his use of the...

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Report: Alex Rodriguez rep purchased Biogenesis medical records

Alex Rodriguez walks back to the dugout as

Photo credit: Getty

MLB investigators have found what they believe is evidence that a representative of Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez purchased medical records from a person connected to former South Florida clinic Biogenesis, according to a report by the New York Times.

The Times had reported Thursday that MLB had purchased documents from an ex-employee at the former anti-aging clinic with the intent...

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No snow in Minnesota (for now)

MINNEAPOLIS -- Give it to the Target Field grounds crew. A few hours to first pitch and there wasn't even a trace of snow in the stadium or on the playing field. Whether it stays that way is the big question.

When the Mets and Twins are scheduled to play at 8:10 p.m. (ET), forecasts are calling for 36 degree temperatures and snow flurries. The Mets are making their first-ever visit...

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Andy Pettitte's start pushed back due to back issue

Andy Pettitte grimaces after giving up a hit

Photo credit: Newsday/Thomas A. Ferrara

Andy Pettitte is dealing with a back issue that will push his scheduled Sunday start back to either Tuesday or Wednesday. Phil Hughes will start in Pettitte’s place against the Orioles on Sunday afternoon.

Joe Girardi said Pettitte’s back locked up Thursday night, but that the 40-year-old pitcher has been experiencing back problems since his previous start, a win over Cleveland on Tuesday.

Pettitte...

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Mets-Twins pitching matchups

Matt Harvey delivers a pitch to a Phillies

Photo credit: David Pokress

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Mets make their first trip to Minnesota since 2004 when they begin a three-game set on Friday night against the Twins. Weather permitting.

Forecasts are calling for first-pitch this weekend temperatures ranging from the upper-30s to the low-40s with a chance of rain and snow on Saturday evening. And unlike the Mets' first visit to Minneapolis, the Twins have replaced the...

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