Wheeler set for a stormy start

August 5, 2012 - 11:42 AM

And it's finally here -- Zack Wheeler's Triple A debut. The top Mets prospect is scheduled to start for the Herd in the series finale against Syracuse this afternoon. That is, as long as the weather holds in Buffalo. The national weather service has noted that strong thunderstorms are on the way to Buffalo and notes "If planning outdoor activities this afternoon ... be preapred for rapidly changing and potentially hazardous weather."

Not the best forecaset for your first Triple-A start.

But the field preparations continue at Coca-Cola Field 90 minutes before the scheduled first pitch.

Wheeler made 19 starts in Double-A Binghamton and led the Eastern League with 117 strikeouts. In his last outing, he struck out a season-high 11 batters in a win over Harrisburg on Tuesday.

Today's Bison's lineup:

Fred Lewis -- LF
Josh Rodriguez -- SS
Lucas Duda -- 1B
Zach Lutz -- 3B
Josh Satin -- 2B
Matt Tuiasosopo -- RF
Matt den Dekker -- CF
Mike Nickeas -- C
Zack Wheeler -- P

--- Amy Moritz

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About Inside Pitch

Mike Harrington

Mike Harrington, a Canisius College graduate who began his career as a News reporter in 1987, has covered the Buffalo Bisons since 1992 and Major League Baseball since 1995. A member of the Baseball Writers Association of America, Harrington has reported on 15 World Series -- including every pitch of the Fall Classic this century -- and all three of the Bisons' championship runs in their modern era. He is a connoisseur of the famous Stadium Mustard at Cleveland's Progressive Field.

@BNHarrington | mharrington@buffnews.com

Amy Moritz

Amy Moritz, a native of Lockport, has covered the Bisons for The Buffalo News since 2002. She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism/mass communication from St. Bonaventure University and a master’s degree in humanities from the University at Buffalo. An endurance athlete, she has completed several triathlons, half marathons and marathons.

@TBN_Moritz | amoritz@buffnews.com

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