Jun 12 2008 08:08 PM
Licking their wounds after a week of bullpen implosions, the Mets welcome the mashers from Arlington to beloved ol' Shea for a three game set. The Rangers are coming off of a series win, taking two of three from Kansas City on the road. They are 34-34 and 7.5 games behind the LA of A Angels in the AL West.
At the dish: This team has some real sluggers in their midst. Triple Crown candidate and potential "Intervention" star Josh Hamilton (.316. 17 HRs, 71 RBIs) and crazy-ass Milton Bradley (.333, 14, 45) lead the charge. Ian Kinsler at 2B (.311, 9, 39, 17 SBs), Michael Young at SS (.299), and the surprising OF David Murphy (.289, 10 HRs, 47 RBIs, 5 SBs) round out the lineup.
On the bump: A little less impressive. Taking the ball for the Rump Rangers this weekend are the holy trinity of Scott Feldman, Kason Gabbard, and Kevin Millwood. Not one with an ERA under 4.30 this year. Scott Feldman hasn't won since May 9th and sounds like a banker. Gabbard, whose first name may be a misspelled homage to "Inherit the Wind" star Jason Robards, was put back in the rotation to replace co-bum Doug Mathis, and Millwood is their would-be but cannot-be ace. I believe that at least once every 2-3 innings, the Texas staff actually places the ball on a plastic tee for the opposing hitters to thwack.
They line up against O.P., Pedro and John Maine respectively.
Former Metses now in Texas: Not a one.
Former Rangers donning the good-guy colors: Just one, Fernando Tatis, who came up with Texas in 1997.
Previous matchup: The Rangers lost 2 of 3 to the Mets in Texas back in 2003 (beating Trax, losing to Seo and Leiter). This is their first and last ever regular season visit to Shea.
Other items of note: While it may seem to be not the case, the Rangers in fact have the worst bullpen in baseball with a 5.26 ERA and 14 blown saves. They also have an African-American manager who is on the hot seat due to his team's performance, although Ron Washington's porno-stache out staches Willie's by a score of 8 to 6.