Mike Nichols

preGame: Mets at Yankees (Game One)
By Mike Nichols - May 16, 2008 5:24 pm

The Game:

Weather permitting, the Mets (20-19) open a three-game series versus the Yankees (20-22) tonight at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, starting at 7:05pm EST.

The Lineup:

    The Pitchers:

    LHP Johan Santana (4-2, 3.10 ERA) starts for the Mets. In his last start on May 10 versus the Reds Santana earned a victory allowing three runs on 10 hits and a walk while striking out five over 6.0 IP. Santana’s 2.27 ERA in Interleague play is the lowest among pitchers with at least 100 innings. He is 3-0 with a 2.66 ERA in eight career games, five starts versus the Yankees.

    RHP Darrell Rasner (2-0, 3.00 ERA) takes the hill for the Yankees. Rasner earned a win in his last start on May 10 versus the Tigers surrendering two runs on four hits and a walk with a strikeout over 6.0 IP. In his only career start versus the Mets on May 19, 2007, Rasner allowed two runs on two hits without recording a out, as he left the game due to injury.

    The Notes:

    The Mets are 25-35 all-time versus the Yankees in the regular season.

    Carlos Delgado’s 138 RBIs during Interleague play ranks him second all-time. He is batting .257 (65-for-253) with 12 HR and 43 RBI in his career at Yankee Stadium.

    Joe Smith has stranded 15 of 16 inherited runners this season. He has 10 strikeouts in his last 4.0 IP.

    David Wright is batting .323 (21-for-65) with 5 HR and 15 RBI in his career versus the Yankees. he is batting .202 against right-handed pitching this season.

    The Yankees have the highest all-time winning percentage (.589) during Interleague play. They are 4-7 versus left-handed starters this season.

    Derek Jeter is batting.381 (94-for-247) in his career versus the Mets. He is 5-for-17 (.294) with 3 2B in his career versus Santana.

    How To Catch It:

    Tonight’s game can be seen locally on and heard locally on WFAN.

    The Bleachers:

    For a live chat, head over to The Hot Foot Bleachers.

    …like cerrone, i am over this whole subway series carnival and interleague in general…it’s lost its appeal…i know most fans use these games as some sort of bragging rights, but honestly i’d rather the Mets play game within their own division…until fans stop buying tickets to these game, i’m sure we’ll continue to see the Yankees on the Mets schedule six times a season…

    …however, this is an important series for the Mets, as all of the new york media focuses on this series…if the Mets, who i believe have much more pressure on them and have more to prove than the Yanks do this weekend, continue their uninspiring play, all hell could break lose and this team could implode…

    …enjoy, and as always, Let’s Go Mets

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    56 Comments »

    Comment by metsfan42793
    2008-05-16 17:28:13

    I know in May there isn’t really must win situations but I really think today with Santana on the mound, the Mets have to win. Hopefully the game doesnt get rained out because it is really hard to sweep a doubleheader if there is one tomorrow.

     
    Comment by Danny1986
    2008-05-16 17:31:35

    “Mets, who i believe have much more pressure on them and have more to prove than the Yanks do this weekend”

    I would agree with that only if Hank Steinbrenner owned the Mets.

    Comment by dave27
    2008-05-16 17:36:00

    Is metsblog aware that the Yankees payroll is $208MM? When did this become a rebuilding year for them?

     
     
    Comment by dr jones
    2008-05-16 17:32:15

    “Its unfortunate that people that don’t know the game and don’t know what were dealing with, call for peoples lively hoods.”

    Willie Randolph

    Comment by da burg's greatest
    2008-05-16 17:52:05

    he also said moises alou was this teams everyday leader

     
     
    Comment by caraballo16
    2008-05-16 17:32:19

    Weather report not looking so good. Double Dip tomorrow? Anyone have any information?

    Comment by mackey_sassers_arm
    2008-05-16 17:33:18

    If it is cancelled it will be a day-night tomorrow.

     
    Comment by jay15
    2008-05-16 17:34:59

    In the city right now getting ready to leave for the game. Don’t need a weather report. Just by looking out the window I can tell you that there is no way there is a game tonight

     
     
    Comment by RPsJacket
    2008-05-16 17:32:40

    True. For this manager, I think just about every day is must win.

    Wright hits in these series, maybe this gets him going. Church gets to hit in this ballpark, lets score some runs.

     
    Comment by deloid
    2008-05-16 17:36:03

    “Joe Smith has stranded 15 of 16 inherited runners this season. He has 10 strikeouts in his last 4.0 IP.”

    Oh yeah! I knew he was great but I didn’t know that statistic.
    He and Wags are phenoms this year…Schoeneweis is coming back as well but I wish he could do a little better with right handers. If Schoeneweis could pitch to rightys then I’d challenge for a better trio in the BP (this year).

    Comment by da burg's greatest
    2008-05-16 17:40:44

    and that is exactly why i was upset two days ago when willie chose heilman, who is terrible with runners on, over smith, who is at his best with runners on.

     
     
    Comment by dave27
    2008-05-16 17:37:46

    If there is a game, I’m glad Moises Alou will be running around in a wet outfield as opposed to DHing and resting his legs.

    I’m also glad Willie is not content to bat ANYONE #2 except for Church, the guy who has been most productive there.

    Comment by dave27
    2008-05-16 17:39:41

    I’ll love it even more when Alou’s bat is taken out for defense.

     
    Comment by da burg's greatest
    2008-05-16 17:42:12

    i think that he should pull johan as soon as he gets a runner on in the 6th or 7th and put in heilman and then leave heilman in for way to long!

     
    Comment by dave27
    2008-05-16 17:42:51

    i meant he is content…ugh

     
    Comment by RPsJacket
    2008-05-16 17:48:49

    Alou didn’t want to DH, neither did delgado per willie. Anderson used to hitting off bench.

     
     
    Comment by mza4eva
    2008-05-16 17:42:35

    At least Castillo is batting 9th….that makes me a happy camper

     
    Comment by 0h the ag0ny
    2008-05-16 17:43:16

    wont be a game tonight.

    its bad.

     
    Comment by 0h the ag0ny
    2008-05-16 17:43:47

    oh && FIRE WILLIE

     
    Comment by dave27
    2008-05-16 17:47:15

    Can’t imagine Santana loves pitching on 6 days rest.

    Comment by 0h the ag0ny
    2008-05-16 17:48:22

    gotta get used to not having a dome…

     
    Comment by mackey_sassers_arm
    2008-05-16 17:51:34

    He’s actually said that the more rest he gets in between starts, the better. he isn’t one of those schedule freaks like glavine and moose that rely on everything being the same every time out.

     
     
    Comment by 0h the ag0ny
    2008-05-16 17:47:45

    sold his soul to get an extra day for this stuff to blow over..

     
    Comment by irish_eagle
    2008-05-16 17:48:03

    Hoping for rainout. The Mets are much worse in the cold than in warm weather.

    Comment by 0h the ag0ny
    2008-05-16 17:48:40

    so are the yankeees

    Comment by gomets6091
    2008-05-16 19:05:22

    so are most human beings

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    Comment by HoJoWright
    2008-05-16 17:51:30

    if Willie was really smart he’d use Johan in the 2 hole. he’s one of most consistent bats! who needs a DH with him on the hill, plus with all the rest he’s had he’d be up for it.

    i kid,

    LETS GO METS

    Comment by 0h the ag0ny
    2008-05-16 17:52:55

    well…we know hed actually GROUNDOUT to drive in the tying run in 9th at least…

    Comment by HoJoWright
    2008-05-16 17:56:05

    yeah, it’s weird the one time we actually wanted delgado to ground out weakly to second he couldn’t do it.

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    Comment by 0h the ag0ny
    2008-05-16 17:58:32

    oh, he hates us.

    and did anyone see the 3rd basemen? totally could have put a bunt down. A squeeze is a stretch but jesus, what better chance do you have then when the 3rd basemen is playing as a shorstop…

     
    Comment by HoJoWright
    2008-05-16 18:01:13

    I hear ya, but lets move on. THey need to win tonight! Delcrapo better lay one down tonight if the situation presents itself.

    I’m outta here. LETS GO METS

     
     
     
     
    Comment by Danny1986
    2008-05-16 17:53:10

    I can honestly say that this is the least excited I have been in a Subway Series game since it began.

    Seriously, I was looking forward more to a Matt Ginter-Mike Mussina duel in ‘04.