Anthony DiComo, of www.mlb.com has an article about the Mets returning to Shea for 3 games vs. Seattle, and a preview of King Felix vs. Johan - 7:10 P.M. tonight.
Jerry Manuel's Mets return for their first home game. And their reception back home might reveal a difference.
"The tremendous fans that we have there are passionate about winning, period," Manuel said. "We have to get into that mindset that we've got to do everything for them to get that done."
(Way to kiss the fans butts, Jerry. Now go wipe that brown stuff off your mouth !)
Booing had become reality for the Mets back home, and certainly might continue if the middling play that defined their first two and a half months returns. But the leash has been lengthened. With change comes a grace period -- however short that may be.
The Mets' home stand includes three games against the Mariners, followed by four against the Yankees (Friday afternoon’s game is at Yankee Stadium, as part of a day/night doubleheader). They'll continue grappling with the .500 mark, attempting to stay on the plus side for good. And if they do, the boos might vanish -- perhaps also for good.
"I don't know if it drains a team as much as it affects that individual," Manuel said. "But in saying that, we have to get to the point to where when they boo one, they're booing all of us. And we have to understand that and stay close-knit, and be able to deal with that as we go forth."
(Agreed. I like the “unity” mind set, including having the departing pitcher wait on the mound, to hand off the ball to the incoming pitcher, including time for both pitchers to briefly chat, and the departing pitcher having the opportunity to offer motivation to the incoming pitcher.)
The Mariners come to Shea in a similar situation. Two days after the Mets dismissed Randolph, the Mariners did the same to their manager, John McLaren. Though they also promoted their bench coach to take his spot, the Mariners haven't responded quite as well to Jim Riggleman as the Mets have to Manuel, entering New York having lost three of their last four games.
Monday's game showcases each team's ace, with right-hander Felix Hernandez starting for the Mariners opposite Johan Santana.
King Felix vs. Johan…
NYM: LHP Johan Santana (7-5, 3.04 ERA)The Angels battered Santana for five runs -- four of them earned -- in six innings last Tuesday in Anaheim. Santana allowed at least one baserunner in each of those innings, eventually losing his second straight decision. The Mets have lost each of the last three games that Santana has started, despite the fact that he allowed a combined two runs over the previous two. His next chance for a victory comes in Interleague play against the Mariners, a team that hasn't beaten him since 2002.
SEA: RHP Felix Hernandez (6-5, 2.87 ERA)Hernandez is still having a little trouble with his right calf, but it doesn't seem to affect the quality of his pitching. He has won his past four starts while allowing three earned runs -- all of them in his last start against the Marlins on Tuesday. Hernandez is shutting down most of the right-handed bats that come up against him, allowing a .213 average. He is also continually pitching deep into games and saving Seattle's bullpen.
After tonight…
• Tuesday: Mets (Oliver Perez, 5-4, 5.06) vs. Mariners (R.A. Dickey, 1-3, 5.57), 7:10 p.m. ET
• Wednesday: Mets (John Maine, 7-5, 3.78) vs. Mariners (Erik Bedard, 4-4, 3.97), 7:10 p.m. ET
• Thursday: Off-day
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