New York Mets (22-22) at Atlanta Braves (25-21) 7:10pm
Johan Santana (5-2) vs. Tim Hudson (6-3)
TV: SNY Radio: WFAN
What to watch: The Mets are trying to avoid getting swept tonight in this four game series in Atlanta. Santana once again has to stop the bleeding for the Mets. It’s been his job all season long. Make sure that you tune into Willie Randolph’s least favorite TV station (SNY) to see if the Mets can finally get a win before heading to Colorado.
Image via Wikipedia
I’ve read a lot of blog posts and heard pronouncements from broadcasters that the Subway Series has become a lame, contrived rivalry. I do agree that the Mets and Yankees series itself isn’t the heated rivalry that we looked forward to in 1997.
But every year I look forward to seeing some of the stars of Major League Baseball that I don’t normally get to see. It’s a 162 game season, so there’s plenty of games to deal with the National League East “traditional” rivalries.
For example, last season I couldn’t wait for the Twins to come to town to get a look at Johan Santana and Torii Hunter. Little did I know that Santana would soon become a Met, but the interest was there on my part. I wasn’t thrilled that Santana threw a four-hit shutout against the Mets but it was fun getting to see one of the best pitchers in the game. Continue reading “Why Inter-League Play Is Great”
Johan Santana went 7.2 innings for a much needed Mets win today. Willie Randolph might have needed this win more than anyone else to retain his job. As usual, Santana gave up some long balls to Derek Jeter, Jason Giambi, and Bobby Abreu. But he powered through to keep the Mets in the game. That’s been his MO this season.
On offense, David Wright and Carlos Beltran had three hits each. Jose Reyes and Wright homered off Kyle Farnsworth in the three run seventh inning that blew the game open for the Mets.
Billy Wagner came in for Santana in the bottom of the eighth to get an unusual four out save. Wagner has said that he doesn’t like to pitch more than one inning but after the last week, the Mets needed to lock down this win.
New York Mets (20-19) at New York Yankees (20-22) 1:05pm
Johan Santana (4-2) vs. Andy Pettite (3-4)
What to watch: Supposedly the Mets cleared the air in the clubhouse. We’ll see if that lasts. The fans and blogs are calling for Willie Randolph to be fired but Omar Minaya gave him a vote of confidence before the rainout yesterday. Oh… by the way two of the biggest names in pitching over the last ten years are on the mound in this game.
New York Mets (20-19) at New York Yankees (20-22) 7:05pm
Johan Santana (4-2) vs. Darrell Rasner (2-0)
What to watch: The good thing for the Mets is that the Yankees are struggling as badly as they are. Santana comes in once again to stop the bleeding. That’s become his job with the Mets. Rasner is an average pitcher but consistently throws strikes. So the Mets need to be ready to start hacking because Rasner doesn’t typically walk a lot of batters.
It wasn’t Johan Santana’s best performance but it’s typical for him this season. He can get into trouble, giving up 10 hits and a walk today, but he can work his way out. Santana got his fourth win of the season against an outmanned Cincinnati team.
There was a lot of offense on display for the Mets in the first game of today’s double header. Particulary, Carlos Delgado had three hits including a home run. He batted seventh in the order for the first time since 1995. Mets fans have been calling for him to be dropped in the order for weeks and Willie Randolph finally came to same conclusion. It seems like Willie is always the last one to figure these things out.
Brian Schneider also homered today. Surprisingly it was his first extra base hit of the season. I would guess that we’ll see Ramon Castro catching for the first time this season in the second game today.
Cincinnati Reds (14-21) at New York Mets (17-15) 1:10pm 7:30pm
Matt Belisle (1-2) vs. Johan Santana (3-2) 1:10pm
Bronson Arroyo (1-4) vs. Mike Pelfrey (2-2) 7:30pm
TV: SNY Radio: WFAN (Both Games)
What to watch: Last nights rain out forced a dual admission double header today. Santana is keeping the day game and Pelfrey is moving to the night game. Ken Griffey was scratched from last nights lineup because he was sick. We’ll see if he can play today, he’s coming up on 600 home runs. The Reds are really bad this season so the Mets need to take advantage of that in this home series.
The Mets Report 