BY SCOTT LAUBER NEW YORK -- The rain is gone. The sun is out. And we're settling in here at Shea Stadium for what is shaping up to be a huge doubleheader.
Sweep, and the Phils will be tied for first place.
Get swept, and they'll be four games out.
Split, and the deficit is two games.
What's going happen?
Jamie Moyer vs. Pedro Martinez in the opener. Cole Hamels vs. Johan Santana in the nightcap. Personally, and for the record, I thought the Phils should've started Hamels in the first game. Hamels would've given them a big edge over Pedro, and if Hamels had won, it would've put enormous pressure on The Johan tonight. But, alas, Charlie Manuel and Rich Dubee know far more about pitching than I do, so we'll see how it works out.
Game 1 lineup: SS Jimmy Rollins, CF Shane Victorino, 2B Chase Utley, 1B Ryan Howard, RF Jayson Werth, 3B Greg Dobbs, LF Matt Stairs, C Carlos Ruiz, LHP Jamie Moyer. Pat Burrell, in case you're wondering, always struggles against Pedro (1-for-26, home run). He'll play tonight, though.
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Joe Blanton will pitch tomorrow against the Marlins, and Brett Myers will pitch Wednesday. In between, it'll be either Kyle Kendrick or J.A. Happ. We'll try to get a definite answer later today. Regardless, tropical storm Hanna seemingly guaranteed that Kendrick will make one more start, either Tuesday or Thursday.
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The Mets can't seem to shake talk of last September. And, as Billy Wagner said Friday, they won't shake it until they hold off the Phillies and win the NL East. If the Phillies sweep today, talk of last year's epic collapse will heat up even more.
Ready to rumble?
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