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…
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VERY NICE!!!!
Santana vs. Kennedy: Delicious!
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.
Oh please let us tee off on Generation Tra in the series! That would be beautfiul!
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.
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.
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.
…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.
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.
Yeah I know, I was being sarcastic because I know a lot of Mets would think this about Willie.
How would Santana miss the Braves? It’s a four game series and normal rest would be the Wednesday game..?
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.
Too true, Toasty, too true
I love the decision. Let the Yankees see what they passed up on!!
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.
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
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.
but we don’t want to be on the back pages for the reasons Hank is on them
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.
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.
Vibe is swaggers cousin, right?
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!
You all know that we are playing the Nats tonight. Forget about the Yanks and Braves, one game at a time.
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.
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.
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.
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.
that’s the idea
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.
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.
shhh metdamage, the trolls on this site will crucify you for giving Willie a compliment!
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
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.
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.
The Yankees have said A-Rod will not be playing this weekend.
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
Haha brandon tierney was so bitter when they talked about this story on Wheelhouse what a clown
I’m bitter when I WATCH the Wheelhouse.
what is the wheelhouse?
I love it cause Ferrall is the man but BT is a clown
that link now says kennedy will start thursday against the rays.
it would have been too delicious.
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