Preview: Phillies v. Mets at Citi Field – 7:10 pm Eastern
The 2008 World Champions Philadelphia Phillies (14-10, 1st) continue their four-games road trip with a short two-games series with their main rival in the National League East, the New York Mets (12-13, 3rd). The first game of the two-games set will be played at the Mets new home, Citi Field, and will start at 7:10 pm Eastern. The Phils’ starter will be Chan Ho Park (0-1, 8.57), who is coming off an earlier beating at the hands of these same Mets on May 1, where he was only able to go four and two-thirds innings, giving up seven runs on eight hits and six walks, while striking out only one batter, in the Phillies’ 7-4 lost. Park is still looking for his first win as a Phil, while folks ponder if this will be Park’s last chance to stay in the Phillies’ starting rotation. The Mets will counter with their ace Johan Santana (3-1, 1.10), who is coming off of a no-decision against the Marlins on April 29, as the Mets’ bullpen once again let him down. Santana went seven strong innings, giving up only two runs on five hits and three walks, while striking out seven, in the Mets’ 4-3 lost. He will be looking for his fourth win of the year as he hopes to once again dominate the Phils. The Phillies will be looking to come out of New York with at least a split, before coming home for a three-games set with the Braves.
My honest opinion? I see this game as a lost for the Phillies, as, since Santana has joined the Mets last season, the Phils have been unable to do anything with him, and the only times that they do score runs when he’s the starter for the Mets is when they get to the bullpen once he is taken out of the ballgame. The only way for the Phils to win this game is for their starter to keep them in the game, until they can get at the Mets’ bullpen, like they did last Saturday. But, since it is Park who is starting the game tonight for the Phils, I do not see this as being a close game, unless the Phillies’ presently red hot offense can find the holes in Santana’s armor and exploit them. So, I am resign at seeing this as a lost, unless, by some miracle, the offense decide to beat up on Santana. While I’m hoping for it, I’m not seeing it as happening.
Phillies Red Pinstripes 
Keep the faith and good luck!
Julia
http://werbiefitz.mlblogs.com/
Thanks, I hoping for the best, but I am not expecting it as long as Park is pitching lousy as a starter.
Or I suppose Julia could have said “phaith”. 🙂 You never know, Park could come out and pitch a gem. I’m not holding my breath, now, but you never know…
Sue
Rants, Raves, and Random Thoughts
I did say that I hope our red hot offense will be able to blast Johan tonight. I’m just not seeing it happening. As for Park, he at the moment doesn’t look like someone who can even pitch a quailty start, never mind a gem.