In what has already been a very interesting (to say the least) Subway Series so far, the Mets try to take the rubber game of this series as they play the Yankees for some afternoon baseball. Looking back at their last two series, the Mets were able to get the rubber game against the Nationals, but lost the rubber game in a tough game against the Phillies. This time the Mets will be turning the ball over to Johan Santana who will go toe to toe on the mound against AJ Burnett in another game that involves story lines and subway lines.
It's not a playoff game but the Mets would love to get a win today and take this series so who better to take the ball than Johan Santana. He is 8-3 on the season with a 2.39 ERA over 79.0 innings, 22 BB and 91 K although he has been struggling a bit in his last three games where he is 2-1 over 19.0 IP, a 5.21 ERA, 8 BB and 16 K. I am a little worried about the home run situation at Yankee Stadium because that tends to be Johan's weakness. Last year against the Yanks he was 1-1 over 13.2 innings, a 4.61 ERA, 6 BB and 13 K. Here are some Yankee stats against him:
Damon 6-30, 3 2B
Jeter 8-23, 4 2B, HR
Arod 5-21, 2 HR
Tex 6-24
Posada 2-15
When it comes to the Yanks, it boils down to keeping the homers to a minimum and keeping the bases clean. Its not just the stadium that leads to a lot of homers but the team in general plays like a power team (depending on who is playing) so to win, you have to force small ball situations, which really is the game the Mets play and we want them playing our game.
The Mets will have to face Burnett who is coming off of a rough start where he gave up 3 earned runs, 5 total in 2.2 innings in his last outing. On the season he is 4-3 with a 4.89 ERA over 73.2 innings and in his last three games he is 2-1 over 15.2 innings with a 3.45 ERA, 10 BB, and 16 K (his numbers are really being helped by a 7 inning shutout he pitched three starts ago). The last time he faced the Mets was 2005 and he had a 1-1 record in 4 starts over 26.1 innings and had a 3.42 ERA. Here are some Mets stats against Burnett:
Sheff 8-28, 3 HR
Schneider 8-20, 3 2B
Beltran 4-16
Cora 0-16
Wright 2-12, 2B
Castillo 0-7
Keep hitting. Thats the name of the game if the Mets can hit and hit in succession they should be able not only score runs, but start to rock Burnett, which is important if they want to win today. This game looks to be a good one as part one of the Subway Series comes to a close. Lets Go Mets! Beat the Yankees!
