Mets' Collins: 'Some Validity' To La Russa's Worries Over Dickey
NEW YORK (WFAN) -- At 12-1, R.A. Dickey certainly has a strong case to start for the National League in Tuesday's All-Star game.
But Dickey's shaky outing Thursday night may give manager Tony La Russa, already fretting about who will catch the Mets' knuckleballer, reason to pass him over.
"I didn't deserve a no-decision, I deserved to lose," Dickey said after giving up 11 hits and five earned runs to the Phillies, a game the Mets won against closer Jonathan Papelbon in the ninth.
La Russa said five pitchers are under consideration for the honor. With home field advantage for the World Series at stake, he may not want to pair Dickey up with 25-year-old starting catcher Buster Posey.
"There is an issue about catching him and what spot to use him," La Russa said on a conference call Thursday.
Mets manager Terry Collins, who will serve on the NL staff, said there's "some validity" to La Russa's worries.
"As we know, it's not an easy pitch to catch," Collins said. "It's got to be the right combination."
Dickey has been one of baseball's best stories this season, riding his trademark pitch to 10 straight decisions in the 'W' column and a 2.40 ERA.
"I'm certainly not going to talk to Tony La Russa about strategy," Collins said. "He's one of the best in the game, if not the best in the game."
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