News: Pelfrey on Thurs., Santana on Friday

May 12, 2008 at 17:17 pm · 41 comments

by Matthew Cerrone

As the Daily News first suggested this morning, Mike Pelfrey recently told ESPN 1050 that he will start on Thursday, which means Johan Santana will start on Friday against the Yankees.

as some pointed out to me today, this would mean santana will miss pitching the following week against the Braves, who, by the way, play in the NL East…however, as a reader points out in the comments section, that does not appear to be the case…santana’s normal rest should end up landing him on the final game against atlanta

{ 41 comments }

jakeha23 May 12, 2008 at 5:18 pm

VERY NICE!!!!

RetireNumber17 May 12, 2008 at 5:21 pm

Santana vs. Kennedy: Delicious!

mackey_sassers_arm May 12, 2008 at 5:22 pm

Johan owns the Yanks! I hope Hank Steinbrenner gets a nice seat as the boy his GM wouldn’t trade gets knocked around and the guy that they wouldn’t give up Melky for pitches lights-out.

Woodside20 May 12, 2008 at 5:22 pm

Oh please let us tee off on Generation Tra in the series! That would be beautfiul!

Agee's Catch May 12, 2008 at 5:23 pm

I don’t get it. Santana loses a day. In the grand scheme of things, it could be an extra start at the end of the season. Would you rather have that extra start go to Santana or Pelfrey? I don’t care if it is the Yankees, every game is as important as the next.

Nate W. May 12, 2008 at 5:24 pm

Its got to be a preference for the opponent. Pelfrey handled the Nats earlier this year, and Santana will be better able to handle all the lefties the Yankees have.

I dont like that it pushes Santana off the double header in Atl, but I can see why they are doing it.

mackey_sassers_arm May 12, 2008 at 5:40 pm

I wouldn’t want to see big pelf trying to find the strike zone against a team as patient as the yankees. He might go over 100 pitches by the 3rd inning.

huge_mets_fan11 May 12, 2008 at 5:23 pm

…as some pointed out to me today, this would mean santana will miss pitching against the Braves the following week, as opposed to staying on target and getting the Braves, who, by the way, play in the NL East…

Come on Matt, didn’t you know that Willie cares more about beating his old team then beating the Braves.

mackey_sassers_arm May 12, 2008 at 5:27 pm

Santana will pitch against the Braves regardless of whether he pitches Thursday or Friday.

Johan has been on record saying that he prefers to get an extra day of rest here or there to stay fresh down the stretch. Coming off a DH seems like a great opportunity to give him an extra day.

huge_mets_fan11 May 12, 2008 at 5:28 pm

Yeah I know, I was being sarcastic because I know a lot of Mets would think this about Willie.

Ceetar May 12, 2008 at 5:24 pm

How would Santana miss the Braves? It’s a four game series and normal rest would be the Wednesday game..?

ToastyJoe May 12, 2008 at 5:24 pm

I have no problem with this move. A big series win in the Bronx would go a long way toward reinstalling a better vibe at Shea, which is sorely needed.

K-Hern May 12, 2008 at 5:27 pm

Too true, Toasty, too true

MezzBoxRox May 12, 2008 at 5:26 pm

I love the decision. Let the Yankees see what they passed up on!!

Mets Fan In Philly May 12, 2008 at 5:26 pm

I don’t at all see how he misses the Braves. He pitches the first Yanks game…then there are two more games, then a 4 game set over 3 days with the Braves…he’d definitely pitch in there.

Agee's Catch May 12, 2008 at 5:26 pm

Remember, we can make most #5 pitchers look like Brandon Webb, so lets not applaud match ups in May.

Get over this fixation with the Yankees. Who cares. Every game is important. Beating the Reds has just as much value as beating the Yankees

mackey_sassers_arm May 12, 2008 at 5:29 pm

Actually more since the Reds are in the NL and competing for the Wild Card. The only thing that the Mets compete with the Yankees for is the back pages… and unfortunately Hank has us killed in that battle.

NYMetsGrrl94 May 12, 2008 at 5:30 pm

but we don’t want to be on the back pages for the reasons Hank is on them

Ceetar May 12, 2008 at 5:31 pm

and backpages equals ratings, equals money,equals the ability to field a better team.

Let the Phillies and Braves worry about the wildcard. Santana pitches against the Braves anyway, and his next start after that would probably be against the Marlins if he’s pushed back to the Yankees series.

mackey_sassers_arm May 12, 2008 at 5:36 pm

Right, there is no need to think about the wild card at this point, I was just stating how it is more important to beat a team from your own league than it is to beat a team from the other league. I hate interleague play. Perhaps it will give Alou a weekend off from the field though.

Agee's Catch May 12, 2008 at 5:28 pm

Vibe is swaggers cousin, right?

NYMetsGrrl94 May 12, 2008 at 5:28 pm

I am going to the game on Friday and it will be the second time this year I am seeing Johan! I saw him pitch against the Pirates in the game that went to extras.

Johan OWNS the Yanks!

metsfansince1992 May 12, 2008 at 5:29 pm

You all know that we are playing the Nats tonight. Forget about the Yanks and Braves, one game at a time.

huge_mets_fan11 May 12, 2008 at 5:31 pm

Lets not get too cocky about beating the Yanks on a Friday. It seems this year the games we think we are going to win we lose and vice-versa.

KFS May 12, 2008 at 6:31 pm

Kennedy scares me. It seems like we always get dominated by mediocre pitchers that you would expect us to jump all over. I’d rather they throw Wang out there instead of Kennedy.

ness589 May 12, 2008 at 5:31 pm

Everyone, stop whining. We have a better chance of winning both games if Pelfrey faces the Nats and Santana the Yanks. He can get back on track after the ASB.

Ceetar May 12, 2008 at 5:33 pm

As long as we’re projecting to after the break, I just hope he’s rested enough and fresh enough to go 1 4 7 if need be in the World Series.

mackey_sassers_arm May 12, 2008 at 5:36 pm

that’s the idea

Koko May 12, 2008 at 5:43 pm

Also the extra day probably helps. Based on Rick Peterson’s pitch count criteria (something I made up based on how Peterson likes to handle pitchers), Santana has thrown a lot of pitches so far this season. An extra day doesn’t hurt. He threw 116 his last start and 116 the start before I think and 114 the one before that.

Metdamage May 12, 2008 at 5:49 pm

Santana will pitch the 16th vs. Yankees, 22nd vs. Braves and the 28th vs. Marlins.

I love it. Santana gets to pith against the division leader and against two of the Mets main rivals.

Very good move by Willie and the staff.

mrose May 12, 2008 at 5:55 pm

shhh metdamage, the trolls on this site will crucify you for giving Willie a compliment!

archie May 12, 2008 at 6:14 pm

just beat the damn Yankees and win on Sunday night I’m sick and tired of being embarassed every year on the national game by them

KFS May 12, 2008 at 6:18 pm

By my count, this is the second time that Santana is pushed back for matchup reasons by Willie.

At this rate, Santana will probably have at least one less start than he’d be eligible for. And considering how tight this race in the NL East is, we might be needing every start from Santana as we can get.

Paid Like Mike Gallego May 12, 2008 at 7:13 pm

It’s called protecting their investment. Santana has thrown 115, 116 and 118 pitches in his last three starts. We didn’t sign Santana just for this season. When the opportunity presents itself especially after high pitch counts, Santana will get an extra day at various times throughout the season. Plus, due to rainouts, offdays and the All-Star break, the rotation will constantly be re-set. While I don’t think he’s dealing with any serious injuries, Santana doesn’t appear to be 100%. He’s been successful so far not because of superior stuff (i.e., his velocity is topping out at 88-91 mph instead of 93-94 mph) but because he knows how to pitch.

Runshouse May 12, 2008 at 6:21 pm

The Yankees have said A-Rod will not be playing this weekend.

stewart0329 May 12, 2008 at 6:29 pm

Just like the Yankees stuck it to the Mets & Met Fans when they signed Gooden to a contract and he threw a no-hitter. NOTHING would bring me more joy if Santana Pitched one at Yankee Stadium. Good way to stick it to the Steinbrenners and to Cashman

Arsenal13 May 12, 2008 at 6:34 pm

Haha brandon tierney was so bitter when they talked about this story on Wheelhouse what a clown

ToastyJoe May 12, 2008 at 6:41 pm

I’m bitter when I WATCH the Wheelhouse.

stewart0329 May 12, 2008 at 6:46 pm

what is the wheelhouse?

Arsenal13 May 12, 2008 at 7:39 pm

I love it cause Ferrall is the man but BT is a clown

dykstraw May 12, 2008 at 6:57 pm

that link now says kennedy will start thursday against the rays.

it would have been too delicious.

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