How Would YOU Build Today's Lineup?

If I were in charge....

Luis Castillo should leadoff today as he's 7 for 14 with a walk against Phillies starter Joe Blanton.

1. Luis Castillo, 2B
2. Ryan Church, RF
3. David Wright, 3B
4. Gary Sheffield, LF
5. Daniel Murphy, 1B
6. Brian Schneider, C
7. Jeremy Reed, CF
8. Alex Cora, SS
9. Johan Santana, P

Jeremy Reed hasn't had a lot of luck against Blanton, but we need his defense today---fly ball team against a flyball pitcher.

And just in--Jerry's lineup, which has Luis batting 8th:

1. Alex Cora, SS
2. Daniel Murphy, LF
3. David Wright, 3B
4. Ryan Church, RF
5. Nick Evans, LF
6. Jeremy Reed, CF
7. Brian Schneider, C
8. Luis Castillo, 2B
9. Johan Santana, LHP

The Pitching Matchups

Johan Santana (8-7, 3.10 ERA, 1.224 WHIP) vs Joe Blanton (5-12, 4.96 ERA, 1.417 WHIP)

Game 1--Santana did have a bad outing vice Cincy, but he's pitched very well against the Phils this year, and Santana is a big game pitcher. Blanton hasn't pitched in two weeks and is making his Philly debut.

Advantage : Mets

John Maine (8-7, 4,22 ERA, 1.354 WHIP) vs Brett Myers (3-9, 5.84 ERA, 1.564 WHIP)

Game 2--John Maine has been pretty awful of late--he is OK early in games, then seems to fade--Mets hope this is a turnaround game for him. Brett Myers is coming back off a stint in the minors, hasn't pitched in the big leagues a month, has an 8.18 road ERA in 2008, and he has been awful.

Advantage: Mets

Oliver Perez (6-6, 4.36 ERA, 1.427 WHIP) vs Jamie Moyer (9-6, 3.90 ERA, 1.358 WHIP)

Game 3--We've had quite a bit of good Ollie of late, but there's always that little part of the back of your mind that worries. Ollie has pitched very well against the Phils. Jamie Moyer is having an excellent season, and he's handcuffed the Mets in three starts this year, allowing only 7 earned runs and 18 2/3rds innings.

Advantage: Push

Phillies Get Joe Blanton: Updated!

Per ESPN.

Blanton is having a rough year with a 77 ERA+, but he is an innings eater and a good back end of the rotation guy. I will also add that Joe Blanton in that Philly bandbox is a recipe for disaster...everybody puts wood on the ball against Blanton.

The Athletics get second baseman Adrian Cardenas, pitcher Josh Outman and outfielder Matthew Spencer, all minor leaguers.

Giving up Cardenas in this deal is probably what sold it to the As....great young prospect with big upside.

Joe Blanton Stats:

Pitching Stats
Year	Team	W	L	ERA	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	SVO	INN	H	R	ER	HR	HBP	BB	SO
2004	OAK	0	0	5.63	3	0	0	0	0	0	8.0	6	5	5	1	0	2	6
2005	OAK	12	12	3.53	33	33	2	0	0	0	201.1	178	86	79	23	5	67	116
2006	OAK	16	12	4.82	32	31	1	1	0	0	194.1	241	111	104	17	5	58	107
2007	OAK	14	10	3.95	34	34	3	1	0	0	230.0	240	106	101	16	4	40	140
2008	OAK	5	12	4.96	20	20	0	0	0	0	127.0	145	74	70	12	1	35	62
Total		47	46	4.25	122	118	6	2	0	0	760.2	810	382	359	69	15	202	431