Mets-Braves Series Preview

The hapless Atlanta Braves and Larry Jones make their last-ever visit to Shea Stadium this weekend. And with it memories of Chipper come flooding back. There was the time he was booed back in 1999. And I recall him being booed in 2000. There were all the times he was booed from 2001-’05. And who could ever forget the games he was booed from 2006-’08? I think I’m going to cry. Everyone knows he named his son Shea after the Mets’ home field. But it could have been worse. His wife wanted to name him The Polo Grounds. The Mets will also welcome back old friend John Rocker, who will be making a special appearance in the series. Before Sunday’s game, he’ll unveil his all-time top-10 racial slurs. Commemorative refrigerator magnets of the occasion will be handed out to all kids 12 and under.

With 17 games left in the season (there’s no seven game lead to blow this year), the Mets are three games in first. The games lately haven’t been easy and they haven’t looked good, but the Mets are finding ways to win instead of looking for ways to lose. And they’re scoring early, late and in between now. Last year, if they had a 7-1 lead and the pitching gave it right back, it was a certain loss. This year, the team is different. Is it Jerry Manuel? Is it Johan Santana? Is it Carlos Delgado? Whoever it is, 2008 is not the same as 2007.

The Mets are 5-7 against the Braves this season, but swept them in their last three-game series back in August. Here are the pitching matchups:

Friday: Mike Hampton (2-2, 5.60) vs. Johan Santana (13-7, 2.70)

Saturday: Jo-Jo Reyes (3-10, 5.26) vs. Pedro Martinez (5-4, 5.44)

Sunday: Jorge Campillo (7-7, 3.70) vs. Oliver Perez (10-7, 4.15)

Braves vs. Mets in 2008:

Yunel Escobar: .370/.400/.667, 1 HR, 3 RBI

Jeff Francoeur: .279/.304/.512, 1 HR, 9 RBI

Kelly Johnson: .333/.395/.611, 2 HR, 12 RBI

Larry Jones: .353/.511/.471, 1 HR, 4 RBI

Brian McCann: .349/.383/.535, 1 HR, 9 RBI

Mets vs. Braves in 2008:

Carlos Beltran: .279/.367/.442, 1 HR, 5 RBI

Ryan Church: .296/.345/.370, 0 HR, 3 RBI

Carlos Delgado: .333/.422/.641, 3 HR, 11 RBI

Jose Reyes: .188/.264/.208, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 3 SB

David Wright: .286/.367/.476, 2 HR, 6 RBI