Mets 3B David Wright looks to continue terrorizing American League pitchers in Game 2 of this interleague series.
Minnesota Twins at New York Mets
Minnesota has now lost four straight games for the first time this season, but manager Ron Gardenhire is not one to panic, “These guys are feeling it a bit right now, they’re disappointed. It’s a long season and we’ve got to keep grinding.” The Twins are 2-5 on its current road trip and have gone 8-17 in their last 25 games away from Target Field. The starting rotation has struggled on the road, posting a 17-20 record and 5.49 ERA compared to a 23-13 mark and 3.37 ERA at home. The Twins face former teammate Johan Santana this afternoon, as they were 3-0 with him on the mound versus the Mets during his tenure in Minnesota. The club is a disappointing 7-9 in interleague action (-260), but has still posted the third-best all-time mark at 139-105 against the NL.
Twins SP Carl Pavano is a respectable 8-6 with a 3.64 ERA in 14 starts this season (+50) and is currently enjoying a three-game winning streak. The right-hander has compiled a 3-1 record and 2.90 ERA in four starts this month, allowing opposing batters to hit just .205 against him. He is an even 7-7 with a 3.60 ERA in 20 career appearances (19 starts) against the Mets (+680). In eight daytime starts, he is an even 4-4 with a 4.30 ERA compared to 4-2 and 2.86 ERA in six nighttime appearances. Pavano has tossed quality starts in 10 of his 14 outings this season, with the Twins tallying an 8-6 record.
New York continues to dominate American League opponents, moving its record to 12-4 in interleague play with last night’s 5-2 home victory. The Mets have won 13 of their last 15 games at Citi Field and are now sitting at 27-11 overall at home (+1,440). Their wining percentage of .711 at home entering today’s game is the third best in the Majors, trailing only the Atlanta Braves and New York Yankees. Leadoff man Jose Reyes has been very important to the offense during its ascent up the NL East standings, with the club posting a 29-8 record when he scores at least one run. 3B David Wright has been even more vital to the team during interleague play, leading all of baseball with 22 RBIs against the opposing league, which has vaulted him to the top of the NL in that category (57 total).
Mets SP Johan Santana is just 5-4 this season despite carrying a 3.31 ERA and allowing just 89 hits in 98 innings of action (-320). The left-hander has never faced his old team in the regular season, pitching against them in Spring Training earlier this year, allowing nine hits and five runs in 3.1 innings. Minnesota is the only team that Santana has never picked up a victory against. He has posted a 12-5 record and 2.67 ERA in 21 career starts at Citi Field, including a 4-2 mark and 3.18 ERA in seven games in 2010 (+140). In seven daytime outings, he stands at 1-3 with a 3.57 ERA.
Bettors will have a tough time choosing sides in this contest, with the Twins facing a former teammate and producing a 13-11 mark against left-handed starters this year (+100). New York may be 16-5 during the month (+1,140), but is an even 38-38 in June over the last three seasons (-340).
