Mets Have a Chance for a Special June

I was looking at the schedule this morning and it's clear that the Mets have a golden opportunity for a special month of June.

After starting the month 1-0 thanks to a Mike Pelfrey special, Johan Santana takes the hill against the Pads, and then the Mets return home.

For the remainder of the month they face:

• 6 against the Marlins, 3 home, 3 away.  Marlins are tied with the Mets at 27-26
• 3 more against the Padres at home
• 3 at Baltimore--Orioles are 15-37
• 3 at Cleveland--Indians are 19-31
• 3 at the Yankees--Yankees are 32-20
• 3 at home against Detroit--Tigers are 26-25, but only 11-15 on the road
• 3 at home against Minnesota--Twins are 31-21, but only 13-12 on the road

It is such a strange month...15 games against American League teams against only 11 National League games.

Thankfully the Mets play the absolute two worst teams in the AL, and maybe in all of MLB.

The fact that the Mets have 4 off days in the month, one a week, also bodes well for the team, as does the favorable travel schedule.  If you include the Yankees games, the Mets will sleep in their own beds for 2/3rds of the month--unheard of in today's game.

The scheduling gods were certainly kind to the Mets in June, now let's see if the team can take advantage of their largess.

Hello Ace

Here are the leaders in Wins among MLB starters:

Starting Pitchers
RK	PLAYER	TEAM	GP	GS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	W	L	SV	HLD	BLSV	WHIP	ERA
1	Ubaldo Jimenez	COL	10	10	71.1	42	7	7	24	61	9	1	0	0	0	0.93	0.88
2	Mike Pelfrey	NYM	11	10	63.2	57	18	18	26	44	7	1	1	0	0	1.30	2.54
	David Price	TAM	9	9	59.2	45	19	16	23	46	7	1	0	0	0	1.14	2.41
4	Andy Pettitte	NYY	9	9	58.1	53	18	17	18	36	6	1	0	0	0	1.22	2.62
	Derek Lowe	ATL	10	10	56.0	59	35	33	28	33	6	4	0	0	0	1.55	5.30
	Roy Halladay	PHI	10	10	77.0	73	23	19	12	59	6	3	0	0	0	1.10	2.22
	Barry Zito	SFO	10	10	67.1	55	23	22	26	40	6	2	0	0	0	1.20	2.94
	Jon Garland	SDG	10	10	60.0	51	21	14	29	38	6	2	0	0	0	1.33	2.10
	Carlos Silva	CHC	9	9	53.2	54	23	21	11	31	6	0	0	0	0	1.21	3.52
	Adam Wainwright	STL	10	10	72.0	52	20	19	19	69	6	3	0	0	0	0.99	2.38

Good Morning Mets Fans!

Like Meatloaf once said, "2 out of 3 aint bad".

The capper to the Mets v Yanks series was a laugher early, and a tense heart in your throat affair late, but in the end, it was the Mets that earned the early bragging rights that color the Empire State building blue and orange.

It was 2 outs in the 9th, go ahead run at the plate in the form of Alex Rodriguez, and a not too sharp Frankie Rodriguez on the hill.

On this night, Frankie got the better of his crosstown opponent and future Hall of Famer, striking him out on a 3-2 pitch that sent the Citi Field faithful into a full throat roar.

The big strikeout preserved a 6-4 victory for Johan Santana and the New York Mets against the New York Yankees on Sunday night.

"I really enjoy that situation," Francisco Rodriguez said. "That's what I get paid for. Not to make the fans suffer like that, but to get the job done."

Early on it was the Mets bats that brought the fans to their feet.  Jason Bay hit two big homeruns off a very hittable CC Sabathia, part of 10 hits the Mets got off the rotund wonder of the Bronx.

"Kind of like a big exhale," Bay said. "Hopefully, it's not a novelty anymore."

Bay finished 2 for 2 with a walk and a HBP (accidental) that the ump incorrectly thought had a purpose.  He warned both benches, which pissed off Joe Girardi and made Jerry Manuel laugh.

Alex Cora had a key at-bat in this game, hitting a two-run single to key a four-run second.  Ike Davis had two hits, and David Wright drove in a run while adding two more K's to his 2010 stats line.

Johan Santana improved his record to 4-2 on the year with a really great performance.  He was locating his pitches beautifully and had the really good changeup that left Yankee after Yankee shaking their head--in their eyes the pitch looked so hittable, but they were not up to the challenge, at least not on this night. 

Santana allowed only six hits and one run in 7 2/3 innings while striking out five. 

The game became extremely tense in both the 8th and 9th innings as the Yankees gamely tried to come back.  Pedro Feliciano came on in the 8th with the bases loaded and two outs and retired Robinson Cano to keep the Mets ahead.

It seemed as if that rally killing out should have taken the wind out of the Yanks sails, but the Yankees, to their credit, had one more rally left.

Ryota Igarashi, fresh off his rehab work and back with the Mets, had an awful 9th inning.  He allowed three hits and a walk before giving way to Frankie Rodriguez. 

Frankie was not sharp either, and the always tough Derek Jeter greeted K-Rod with a clutch at-bat that resulted in a run-scoring double.  David Wright then made a tremendous play on a slow grounder to third by the speedy Brett Gardner.  It was bang-bang, but the ESPN replays showed the umps got it right, though an argumentative Joe Girardi disagreed.

2 outs, 9th inning...hearts in throats with Mark Teixeira up with a chance to tie the game.

Tex hit a high chopper for an infield single, and the tension was ratcheted up even more.

2 outs, 9th inning, ARod at the plate as the go ahead run.

And that's how it ended after a long tight, full count at-bat--Frankie got K, the Mets won, and they crept a bit closer to the Phillies, who lost to the Red Sox.

The Mets are now 5 games back, with an off-day, and the Phillies in town for three beginning Tuesday.

Enjoy your coffee!

Scoreboard
Final	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
N.Y. Yankees (26-18)	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	3	4	10	1
N.Y. Mets (22-23) «	0	4	0	0	2	0	0	0	x	6	11	0

Player of the Game

New York
J. Bay	AB	2
	R	2
	H	2
	HR	2
	RBI	3

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Maine Deserved an Inning

I was at the game last night--right behind the Mets dugout--so I witnessed Maine's warmup, his sequence to Nyjer Morgan, and the look on his face as he got pulled.

I saw him walking directly toward us, and his angry reaction at getting pulled.

Jerry Manuel needed a win last night, desperately needed a win, but with the Yankees and Phillies on the horizon for the next few games, he also needs his bullpen.

Takahashi is pitching tonight, and the odds of him going deep are slim to none--6 innings will be a miracle.

Main looked bad on his first few pitches, and better after...then he gets pulled.

Dan Warthan calls him a habitual liar--Jerry had the BP warming up before the game started.

It was not a very good scene.

"When you throw your first pitch and you see a guy warming up in the bullpen, it's a lose-lose situation," Maine said.

"He wanted to pitch," Manuel said. "We got in a heated exchange about that and I tried to tell him I was trying to protect his best interests."

Said Maine: "I didn't get a chance (to make a case to remain in the game). I think that's what I'm most upset about. They said they saw something so they were taking me out. I'm a little hurt by that."

Maine deserved one of two things--an inning or to stay in until a run scored.

He got neither.

This final quote is the most telling--it shows just how much Jerry Manuel has lost this club:

Asked if he thought Manuel had confidence in him, the pitcher said. "I'm sure he doesn't have confidence in me. Whatever. My dealings are with Dan."

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• News: John Maine Injured, Leaves Game (metsblog.com)

The Season Long Hump--Step One Complete

Some people break up the season in quarters of halves, I like to view it by month.

Last year the Mets had month after bad month, and the schedule was certainly not their friend.

In June and early July there were two stretches when the Mets played 20 games in a row, and August it got worse, with the Mets playing 29 games with one day off.

I chronicled the scheduling issues quite a bit last year, including this piece on 20 games in 20 days.

In 2009 the Mets got off to a sluggish start in April, only to turn on the jets in May and take what was their only division lead for the year.  In June the wheels fell off as the injuries mounted, and we were all left to think what could have been as one frustration piled on top of another all the way to the merciful end.

Still, with all of the challenges of 2009, the team was far better at home than on the road:

2009 Home/Road
Split	W	L	RS	RA	WP
Home	41	40	343	350	.506
Road	29	52	328	407	.358
2009 Month by Month
Split	W	L	RS	RA	WP
April	9	12	96	97	.429
May	19	9	138	111	.679
June	9	18	108	146	.333
July	12	14	93	108	.462
August	10	19	117	151	.345
September	8	20	103	142	.286
October	3	0	16	2	1.000

This year's schedule is quite a bit more balanced:

• April:  16 home games, 7 away games, 3 off days, 16 games in a row
  
• May:  12 home games, 17 away games, 2 off days, 17 games in a row
  
• June:  12 home games, 14 away games, 4 off days, 9 games in a row
  
• July:  11 home games, 15 away games, 5 off days, 11 games in a row
  
• August: 13 home games, 15 away games, 3 off days, 13 games in a row
  
• September: 14 home games, 13 away games, 3 off days, 10 games in a row
  
• October:  3 home games, 0 away games

Thus far in 2010 the schedule appears to be the Mets friend, and the 11-5 home record certainly attests to that fact.

Yes, they certainly have taken great advantage of the abundance of April home games, but make no mistake--those games were against some of the best clubs in the National League, even if some of those clubs aren't playing that way at the moment.

April Opponents and 2009 Winning Percentage:
3 vs Dodgers (.586--won division)
1 vs Philly (.574--won division)
3 vs Colorado (.568--wild card)
3 vs St Louis (.562--won division)
3 vs Florida (.537)
3 vs Atlanta (.531)
4 vs Chicago (.516)
3 vs Nationals (.364)

So the Mets had two opposing forces to begin the year--a plethora of home games, yet those games were against the best teams the senior circuit has to offer.

Bottom line is the Mets did what they had to do--they used the scheduling advantage in their favor.  With one more April game remaining, the team is 4 games over .500 and sits atop the NL East.

Looking ahead to May we can see that it will be a challenging month from a schedule perspective.

There are:

• 17 road games against 12 home games.
• 5 games against the Phillies
• 3 games against the Yankees
• 3 games against the tough SF Giants
• 4 games against the Marlins

No easy task, but as long as the Mets continue to play well as a true team, they will continue to do well.

One thing is for certain--the first hump was met and the team kicked it right on its ass.

VIDEO: A-Rod is a Tool

Stay off the mound and stop being a douchebag.

This is the guy that runs to first and tries to slap a ball away...tool.
This is the guy that screams at an opposing fielder "I got it"...tool.
This is a guy that takes steroids...tool.
This is a guy that runs across a pitcher's mound...tool.
This is a guy that stares into every camera while in the dugout as soon as he sees the red light turn on...tool.
This is the guy that takes it from behind from Madonna...tool.

VIDEO: Mark Buehrle--Amazing Opening Day Play!

This is just unreal...what a play by Mark Buerhle!

The Mets Amazing Opening Day Record

The Mets are 31-17 all-time in Opening Day games.

This is pretty amazing considering they lost their first 8 opening day games in a row.

That's right, the Mets did not win an opening day game until 1970, they just skipped the 1960s altogether as far as opening wins were concerned.

After losing those first 8 games, they won their next 4 in a row, lost 1, and then went on to win an astounding 9 in a row.

Since those first 8 losses, they've gone 31-9, and the team's current opening day win streak stands at 4.

Here is how the Mets have fared on opening day by decade:

• 60s: 0-8
• 70s: 9-1
• 80s: 9-1
• 90s: 6-4
• 00s: 7-3

All told the Mets have a .646 winning percentage on Opening Day--yes, that is the best record in the game.

So good morning my friends, let's have one heck of a season!

Score	Starter
2009. Mon, Apr 6 at CIN W (2-1)	Santana
2008. Mon, Mar 31 at FLA W (7-2)	Santana
2007. Sun, Apr 1 at STL W (6-1)	Glavine
2006. Mon, Apr 3 vs WSN W (3-2)	Glavine
2005. Mon, Apr 4 at CIN L (6-7)	Martinez
2004. Tue, Apr 6 at ATL W (7-2)	Glavine
2003. Mon, Mar 31 vs CHC L (2-15)	Glavine
2002. Mon, Apr 1 vs PIT W (6-2)	Leiter
2001. Tue, Apr 3 at ATL W (6-4)	Leiter
2000. Wed, Mar 29 vs CHC L (3-5)	Hampton
1999. Mon, Apr 5 at FLA L (2-6)	Leiter
1998. Tue, Mar 31 vs PHI W (1-0)	Jones
1997. Tue, Apr 1 at SDP L (5-12)	Harnisch
1996. Mon, Apr 1 vs STL W (7-6)	Jones
1995. Wed, Apr 26 at COL L (9-11)	Jones
1994. Mon, Apr 4 at CHC W (12-8)	Gooden
1993. Mon, Apr 5 vs COL W (3-0)	Gooden
1992. Mon, Apr 6 at STL W (4-2)	Cone
1991. Mon, Apr 8 vs PHI W (2-1)	Gooden
1990. Mon, Apr 9 vs PIT L (3-12)	Gooden
1989. Mon, Apr 3 vs STL W (8-4)	Gooden
1988. Mon, Apr 4 at MON W (10-6)	Gooden
1987. Tue, Apr 7 vs PIT W (3-2)	Ojeda
1986. Tue, Apr 8 at PIT W (4-2)	Gooden
1985. Tue, Apr 9 vs STL W (6-5)	Gooden
1984. Mon, Apr 2 at CIN L (1-8)	Torrez
1983. Tue, Apr 5 vs PHI W (2-0)	Seaver
1982. Thu, Apr 8 at PHI W (7-2)	Jones
1981. Thu, Apr 9 at CHC W (2-0)	Zachry
1980. Thu, Apr 10 vs CHC W (5-2)	Swan
1979. Thu, Apr 5 at CHC W (10-6)	Swan
1978. Fri, Apr 7 vs MON W (3-1)	Koosman
1977. Thu, Apr 7 at CHC W (5-3)	Seaver
1976. Fri, Apr 9 vs MON W (3-2)	Seaver
1975. Tue, Apr 8 vs PHI W (2-1)	Seaver
1974. Sat, Apr 6 at PHI L (4-5)	Seaver
1973. Fri, Apr 6 vs PHI W (3-0)	Seaver
1972. Sat, Apr 15 vs PIT W (4-0)	Seaver
1971. Tue, Apr 6 vs MON W (4-2)	Seaver
1970. Tue, Apr 7 at PIT W (5-3)	Seaver
1969. Tue, Apr 8 vs MON L (10-11)	Seaver
1968. Wed, Apr 10 at SFG L (4-5)	Seaver
1967. Tue, Apr 11 vs PIT L (3-6)	Cardwell
1966. Fri, Apr 15 vs ATL L (2-3)	Fisher
1965. Mon, Apr 12 vs LAD L (1-6)	Jackson
1964. Tue, Apr 14 at PHI L (3-5)	Jackson
1963. Tue, Apr 9 vs STL L (0-7)	Craig
1962. Wed, Apr 11 at STL L (4-11)	Craig

20 Years of Yankee and Mets Payrolls

I was having a discussion with my brother, a devout Yankee fan, and and we were comparing the relatives success, or lack of success, for each team, as well as their strategy for building the ballclubs.

He rightfully argues the Yankees have more homegrown talent, and I rightfully argued that the Yankees have also infused the homegrown guys with a continual cast of very high-priced free agents.

When the payroll discussion inevitably arouse, my brother was a bit in denial about the Yankees spending habits. He argued that the Mets "used to way outspend the Yankees," and that it was only recently that the Yankees spent a ton, but that they were bringing the payroll "way, way down" the last few years.

My brother, like many Yankee fans, is delusional. To prove this, I created a quick chart depicting both team's payrolls over the last 20 years.

Overall the Yankees have outspent the Mets by about $600M during that time, with the majority of the spending difference occurring in the last 7 years.

While the Mets have certainly spent a lot, they also have not had the same success as the Yankees.

We all cringe at 2009, but the Mets spending was pretty high overall during the 2006-2008 years--years in which the team had a lot of success, albeit some major disappointment as well. That said, they were, for lack of a better term, "on the cusp."

The payroll for 2010 will be in the $125M range, and that is part and parcel of the team's financial woes and the weak free agent market for 2010.

The numbers:

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Johan Can You Hear Me?

Can you shake off that 2-4 June in which you posted the 6.19 ERA?

The team needs you to get them a win.

3.0 games back of the Phils now, tied with the Braves, and also looking up at the Marlins.

Today marks the unofficial halfway point of the season--game 81.

The Mets will officially finish the unofficial first half below .500.

The Mets need you Johan, if there's any hope of getting to the All Star break at or above .500.

We're all tired of reading about the injuries, the fielding miscues, the lack of depth in the minors, and the black cloud that's hanging over the team.

Can you hear me Johan?

Go out and pitch a gem.

Bad Jerry Manuel Decision #78

Two words: Argenis Reyes.

Argenis is batting .225 against lefties in AAA this year.

In 24 big league at-bats against lefties, Argenis has a .167 BA and a .167 OBP to go along with that...yup, no walks and 6 Ks.

Jerry used him to pinch-hit, against lefthanded CC Sabathia with two men on base in the Mets lone rally of the night.

He struck out.

Dare I mention that Jeremy Reed is 4 for 4 against lefties this year?

Do I even mention the fact that Daniel Murphy is hitting .276 against lefties this year--8 for 29 with a HR?

Nah, I'll just shut the hell up and pretend I'm speechless.

Besides, the outstanding blogger Joe Janish of Mets Today does a heck of a lot better explaining Jerry's "positive spin" on the loss than I ever could.

Argenis Reyes....wow.

Subway Series Tickets Available - June 26th

The lovely and talented Lynn Cohen (yes, that Lynn Cohen) of "Gary, Keith and Ron", just announced she has 50 more tickets for the Mets v. Yanks game on June 26th.

As you may know, Lynn does a bunch of great charity work through the website, and she also happens to unite a bunch of great Mets fans at the same time.

So if you're looking for tickets and want to hang out with a great group, please go check out the site.

Get your Subway Series tickets! GKR now has 40 50 additional seats in the Big Apple area (aka- right next to the food) for the extremely coveted Friday June 26 game against the Yankees!

These Big Apple tickets will go super fast, so don't miss your opportunity to cheer on our boys from the bleachers. Let's make sure the Mets fans--and the GKR fans!--show up in droves to show those Yankees fans whose home they're in!

Come sit with your fellow GKR supporters and watch the Subway series! Purchasers must wear the GKR Subway shirt. Unity and theme in one tee!

Our 1st 40 SOLD OUT, We Managed to put together 50 more - POSTING TICKETS FOR FRIDAY NIGHT GAME

Tickets are only $95.00.
Includes GKR Subway Tee

Pelfrey has a Tall Order

Mike Pelfrey goes tonight against the Orioles in what can be deemed something of a must-win game for the Mets.

The Mets, losers of 2 of 3 against the Yankees, are now 4 back of the Phillies, who face Toronto in their next inter-league matchup.

After a superb May in which the lanky righthander posted a sterling 2.93 ERA, his June numbers have dropped off significantly.

In his two June starts, opponents are hitting .357 against him.

2009 Pitching Splits
Overall	ERA	W	L	SV	SVO	G	GS	CG	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	AVG
Total	4.68	4	2	0	0	11	11	0	65.1	72	37	34	5	24	28	.286
As Starter	4.68	4	2	0	0	11	11	0	65.1	72	37	34	5	24	28	.286
Opponent Batting	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	HBP	SO	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
Total	252	37	72	8	2	5	33	24	3	28	4	3	.286	.350	.393	.743
By Breakdown	ERA	W	L	SV	SVO	G	GS	CG	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	AVG
Home	3.52	2	0	0	0	6	6	0	38.1	39	17	15	4	9	15	.273
Away	6.33	2	2	0	0	5	5	0	27.0	33	20	19	1	15	13	.303
Day	9.64	1	1	0	0	2	2	0	9.1	15	11	10	0	7	4	.385
Night	3.86	3	1	0	0	9	9	0	56.0	57	26	24	5	17	24	.268
Grass	4.68	4	2	0	0	11	11	0	65.1	72	37	34	5	24	28	.286
Right / Left	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	HBP	SO	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
vs. Left	137	0	41	3	1	5	20	17	1	13	0	0	.299	.376	.445	.821
vs. Right	115	0	31	5	1	0	13	7	2	15	0	0	.270	.317	.330	.648
By Day/Month	ERA	W	L	SV	SVO	G	GS	CG	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	AVG
April	6.32	2	0	0	0	3	3	0	15.2	19	11	11	3	9	6	.306
May	2.93	2	1	0	0	6	6	0	40.0	38	13	13	1	10	17	.257
June	9.31	0	1	0	0	2	2	0	9.2	15	13	10	1	5	5	.357

It's time for Big Pelf to pitch a gem and pick up this team.

KRod v. Bruney: Fight Video

Well, here is a fan's video of the "fight" between Frankie Rodriguez and Brian Bruney...OK, it wasn't a fight, but more of a disagreement with a bit of pushing and finger pointing.

As you'll see, not a lot going on, but Frankie Rodriguez is obviously pissed. (probably as pissed as the Mets fans after that trainwreck of a game yesterday)

Bruney did issue an apology for his comments.

"Obviously, I probably shouldn't have said what I said," Bruney said after the Yankees' 15-0 pounding of the Mets. "I made that mistake and I'm moving on . . . I guess this is my apology to him. I didn't really get a chance to [apologize earlier]."

"For me, it's over with. And I'm sure, in his mind, he's not worried about it," Bruney said. "The guy's had a great career and I don't have anything like that to hang my hat on . . . I don't have a World Series ring, I don't have the saves record. I've heard he's a good dude, I'm sure he is. It's over with."

In Search of An SP v.7.0

Well, we're down to the end of the list. As of yesterday, this was the next group to look at:

NY Yankees: 14 wins… $201 mil team salary…

No… nothing coming out of here for the Mets and, this is THE big market team…

White Sox: 14 wins… $96 mil team salary

We’re going to pass on this team… the White Sox are located in a big city market, so they have to act like a big market team. Yes, they might have a pitcher or two to sell, but we’re sticking to bottom fishing here.

Atlanta: 14 wins… $96 mil team salary…

Whether or not Atlanta is considered a big market team is sometimes debatable, but it really doesn’t matter. The Braves are not going to sell anyone to the Mets, so we pass on this team.

The rest of the teams have at least 15 wins and are either over, or flirting with, the .500 mark in wins and losses. None of these teams are going to be currently thinking about dumping good pitching, so our list, for now, is complete:

• Jake Peavy - San Diego
• Cliff Lee - Cleveland Indians
• Adam Eaton - Baltimore Orioles
• Jason Marquis - Colorado Rockies
• Roy Oswalt - Houston Astros
• Dan Haren - Arizona

Mack - www.macksmets.blogspot.com

Phil Hughes vs. Baba Booey

It was quite the pitching duel yesterday, Phil Hughes vs Baba Booey.

Let's look at the linescore:

NY Yankees	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Hughes, P (L, 1-2)	1.2	8	8	8	2	0	1	8.49

NY Mets	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Baba Booey (ND, 0-0)	0.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.00

ARod Back With a New Look

Seems he has fully weaned himself off the steroids and is ready to get back to the business of baseball.

"It's all about giving back to the kids and playing winning Yankee baseball," said a teary ARod upon re-joining his teammates, "that's what means the most to me, cause, ummm, it's not about me--to me, or I, or even myself."

Derek Jeter had "no comment" when asked if having ARod back would help the team.

I am so glad the Mets never signed this guy.

Johan Santana Saves NY Baseball

Two new stadiums, one a palace, one an homage to a time when baseball was king.

New high-priced free agents.

Tons of talent.

MVP caliber holdovers.

This was supposed to be the golden time of NY baseball....a can't miss season for two teams stacked with stars, in new cathedrals of the game.

But a funny thing happened on the way to the forums....

CC Sabathia has crashed his 300 pound body back to Earth:

2009 Season Stats
SPLITS	G	GS	CG	SHO	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	W	L	P/GS	WHIP	BAA	ERA
Season	6	6	1	0	39.0	39	23	21	2	15	24	1	3	109.3	1.38	.262	4.85
Career	260	260	27	10	1698.1	1580	754	695	152	538	1417	118	76	91.4	1.25	.248	3.68
Last 7	6	6	1	0	39.0	39	23	21	2	15	24	1	3	--	1.38	.262	4.85
Projected	34	34	6	0	218	218	128	117	11	84	134	6	17	109.3	1.38	.262	4.85

AJ Burnett has been less than stellar:

2009 Season Stats
SPLITS	G	GS	CG	SHO	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	W	L	P/GS	WHIP	BAA	ERA
Season	6	6	0	0	37.2	35	22	22	6	15	33	2	0	104.0	1.33	.257	5.26
Career	221	217	19	9	1414.0	1234	667	605	128	583	1311	89	76	81.8	1.29	.235	3.85
Last 7	6	6	0	0	37.2	35	22	22	6	15	33	2	0	--	1.33	.257	5.26
Projected	34	34	0	0	207	196	123	123	34	84	184	11	0	104.0	1.33	.257	5.26

Mark Texiera is off to a slow start and hearing boos:

2009 Season Stats
SPLITS	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
Season	24	91	14	19	4	0	5	15	19	18	0	0	.209	.354	.418	.772
Career	928	3505	580	1008	227	13	208	691	461	712	13	3	.288	.377	.538	.915
Last 7	7	28	5	6	2	0	2	5	5	7	0	0	.214	.333	.500	.833
Projected	159	603	93	126	27	0	33	99	126	119	0	0	.209	.354	.418	.772

And the Yankees bullpen has been a trainwreck--that's the main reason they are 13-13 and have allowed a major league worst 170 runs to score against them.

For the Mets it's been the tale of the holdover stars struggling.

Jose Reyes can't get on base right now:

2009 Season Stats
SPLITS	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
Season	26	109	11	27	2	2	1	8	14	12	7	2	.248	.331	.330	.661
Career	781	3315	544	946	157	73	62	318	255	398	297	75	.285	.336	.433	.769
Last 7	7	29	3	3	0	1	0	1	5	5	3	0	.103	.229	.172	.401
Projected	162	679	69	168	12	12	6	50	87	75	44	12	.248	.331	.330	.661

And Oliver Perez, well, he is on another planet--a bad planet:

2009 Season Stats
SPLITS	G	GS	CG	SHO	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	W	L	P/GS	WHIP	BAA	ERA
Season	5	5	0	0	21.2	28	24	24	3	21	20	1	2	90.2	2.26	.315	9.97
Career	180	179	3	2	1021.0	924	560	511	149	549	1047	56	62	99.3	1.44	.242	4.50
Last 7	5	5	0	0	21.2	28	24	24	3	21	20	1	2	--	2.26	.315	9.97
Projected	30	30	0	0	126	168	144	144	18	126	120	6	12	90.2	2.26	.315	9.97

And let's not forget the Mets lineup--a lineup that has one of the best batting averages in baseball, but one of the worst with runners on base. David Wright hearing the boo-birds?

The stadiums have both taken their share of beatings as well.

The Yankees play to entire sections of empty seats and have suffered through the embarrassment of a public ticket price reduction scheme that didn't really do anything for the average diehard fan. The former home field advantage is gone--the stadium is quiet.

The Mets have some obstructed views and forgot one important little thing in the new stadium--paying tribute to the Mets. It's Jackie Robinson stadium...remember the 1969 team? How about 1986? Yeah, well go try to find a bit about them in the stadium...terrible. Thankfully the food is good and the prices are low enough for most folks to enjoy.

So we have two .500 teams right now....thankfully one man can save this city....one man is saving this city.

That man, Johan Santana, is off to a season like no other...a Triple Crown performance of excellence and dominance that is a sheer joy to watch. It's baseball heaven, nirvana, a few hours a week when you just drop what you're doing to watch in awe of what he's doing.

2009 Season Stats
SPLITS	G	GS	CG	SHO	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	W	L	P/GS	WHIP	BAA	ERA
Season	6	6	0	0	39.2	24	6	4	2	12	54	4	1	102.2	0.91	.168	0.91
Career	291	215	9	6	1582.2	1298	580	538	169	439	1641	113	52	97.1	1.10	.221	3.06
Last 7	6	6	0	0	39.2	24	6	4	2	12	54	4	1	--	0.91	.168	0.91
Projected	36	36	0	0	234	144	36	24	12	72	324	24	6	102.2	0.91	.168	0.91

Those are Bob Gibson numbers....Dwight Gooden in 1985 numbers...Pedro at his peak numbers.

And he's here, in NY, doing his best against all odds without any run support.

He's Superman in flannel, a lefty Wolverine, Batman with a changeup.

He is saving a city.