July 12, 2007

Home games: Mets vs. Reds at Shea all weekend

NewYorkology contributor Scott Ross, a lifelong Red Sox fan, keeps you abreast of upcoming Mets and Yankees games in New York City. Ross toils in anonymity for a giant online news aggregator.

(Editor's note: This entry has been updated to reflect Friday's pitching change: John Maine instead of Tom Glavine.)

Here's your look at major league baseball in New York City this week:

The Mets limped into the All Star break, losing six of the past eight, with their lead over the Braves shrinking to two games. Fortunately for the Mets, they open the season’s second half hosting the Cincinnati Reds (36-52), among the worst teams in baseball.

The Game of the Week: John Maine, who has been both a revelation and a savior for the Mets this season, takes the hill on Friday, trying to become the National Leagues first 11-game winner. Maine's won his last four starts, going 30 innings while allowing only five runs.

Maine, though, is facing Reds' ace Aaron Harang. Over his last six starts, Harang has been lights out, going 3-0 with a 2.43 ERA and has held opposing batters to a .195 batting average.

And if the pitching match-up isn't enough to get you out to the ballpark, the game will be played on Friday the 13th and it's Endy Chavez Bobblehead Night. Still not convinced? What if we told you that you can get there via the Mets Cruise, a floating tailgate party that launches from East 23rd Street in Manhattan and features head-bangin' sounds of headliners Theatre of Pain, New York City's finest Motley Crue tribute band?

Cincinnati Reds @ New York Mets
Thursday at 7:10 PM: Bronson Arroyo (3-9) vs Orlando Hernandez (4-4), Kids T-shirt Night
Friday at 7:10 PM: Aaron Harang (9-2) vs John Maine (7-6), Endy Chavez Bobblehead Night
Saturday at 7:10 PM: Matt Belisle (5-6) vs Tom Glavine (10-4), Ralph Kiner Night
Sunday at 1:10 PM: Kyle Lohse (5-10) vs Mike Pelfrey (0-7), Merengue Night

Tickets to Mets games can be purchased here, while directions for getting to and around the stadium are also available.

The Yankees meanwhile went 5-2 over the last week of the second half, cutting the Red Sox’ lead to 10 games. Their quest for a 10th consecutive AL East crown starts anew in Tampa with a four-game series against division weaklings the Devil Rays.

Next Week: The Yankees return to the Bronx on Monday, playing host to the Tampa Devil Rays and Toronto Blue Jays, while the Mets are bound for the West Coast.

July 12, 2007 10:54 AM in Out of Manhattan, Sports

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