Max Fried, the Braves ace and one of the best lefty pitchers in the National League, will be on the hill for Atlanta on Friday when the Mets come to town to open a three-game set that will likely decide the NL East.
So, Evan Roberts asked Buck Showalter on Thursday who the team's DH would be, assuming it would be a righty to counter the southpaw Fried.
"It can't be Darin Ruf, right?" Evan said. "It can't be. No offense to him, I'm sure there's a big adjustment when you're traded, he's been awful."
Showalter joked that Ruf was right down the hall, and he would go get him so Evan could ask it again.
"I'd tell him," Evan replied. "I'd say it respectfully, but he's been terrible."
Showalter immediately stood up for his platoon hitter.
"Do you think that's respectful?" Showalter said in response. "Do you know how good Darin is at what he does?"
As Evan noted, Ruf hasn't produced since being acquired from the Giants before the trade deadline. The 35-year-old is batting .152 with a .413 OPS in a Mets uniform, far from the hitter who posted an .886 OPS against lefties with San Francisco this season.
"He crushes left-handed pitching," Evan said. "There's a reason why as a fan I loved the deal…he has a track record, which I do respect."
But Buck wouldn't show his hand, and Mets fans will have to wait until Friday to see if Showalter continues to ride with Ruf, or give Mark Vientos more opportunities.
"It will be revealed to you when the right time comes what direction we're gonna go," Showalter said.
Follow WFAN's afternoon team on Twitter: @CartonRoberts, @EvanRobertsWFAN, @TommyLugauer, and @CMacWFAN
Follow WFAN on Social Media
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Twitch
Listen live to WFAN:
Audacy App | Online Stream | Smart Speaker (just say 'Play W-F-A-N')
