Collins finds tapping into ‘The Matrix’ is made to order for young lineup
ST. PETERSBURG — Terry Collins has received some lineup help recently — and it has nothing to do with the two trades that brought in Kelly Johnson, Juan Uribe and Yoenis Cespedes.
For the past month, the Mets manager has been utilizing information compiled by team scouts to create his batting orders. The suggestions appear on his desk before each game in the form of a chart, which he refers to as “The Matrix.”
The chart originated out of necessity. The Mets roster is littered with young hitters such as Kevin Plawecki, Wilmer Flores and Michael Conforto, who haven’t played long enough to accumulate statistically relevant sample sizes against major league pitchers. So instead, the Mets had their scouts compile lists of pitchers with similar stuff, between velocity and pitch selection, before cross-referencing how their players hit against those certain pitcher prototypes.
“The Matrix” is the result of that data collection, and it informs Collins how certain players might perform against an opposing starter, even if that hitter has never faced that pitcher.
Take Saturday’s lineup as an example. “The Matrix” told Collins that Ruben Tejada, Johnson and Flores should all hit against Rays starter Nate Karns. But not one of those three players had faced Karns before Saturday night.
Johnson is a left-handed bat,
which explains why he would match up with the right-handed Karns. Meanwhile, Tejada and Flores match up because they hit well against fastball-curveball pitchers.
“It’s just another means to help you out,” said Collins.
Collins eventually opted to go with Tejada and Johnson in Saturday’s lineup.
Tejada and Johnson combined to go 0-for-3 with a walk on Saturday against Karns, who lasted five innings in a 5-4 Rays win. Two of those outs, though, were hard-hit lineouts.
CUDDYER’S SORE SPOT
Michael Cuddyer “severely banged up his toe” Wednesday when he fouled a ball off his foot during batting practice, according to Collins.
It didn’t prevent the outfielder from playing in his first rehab game Friday night in Port St. Lucie, during which he went 0-for-3. He followed that up by going 0-for-4 with a walk and run scored in his second and final rehab game Saturday night.
Cuddyer is scheduled to take Sunday off before being activated Monday for the Mets’ series opener against the Rockies at Citi Field. … Curtis Granderson fouled a ball of his right foot in the ninth inning of Saturday night’s loss in Tampa. He didn’t need X-rays but said the foot felt “sore” after the game. He iced it and hopes to be ready for Sunday’s series finale.