The 2006 New York Mets and the 1986 Mets are waiting for the Rockies in the Big Apple.
So as challenges go, this weekend’s three-game series at Shea Stadium promises to be a doozy.
Not only are the current Mets (72-48) the best team in the National League, the franchise is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the 1986 World Series championship team before Saturday night’s game. Mookie Wilson will be there, as well as Keith Hernandez, Lenny Dykstra and Ron Darling. About the only one missing will be Boston Red Sox first baseman Bill Buckner.
The series kicks off tonight with Colorado’s Byung-Hyun Kim and the Mets’ Steve Trachsel on the mound. Starting for the Rockies on Saturday will be 25-year-old southpaw Jeff Francis. He has never pitched at Shea but is excited about the prospect.
“I think it will be fun. I’m looking forward to it,” Francis said. “It’s a challenge, but that’s what this game is supposed to be about.”
Manager Clint Hurdle is eager to see how his Rockies fare in Queens against a formidable opponent.
“It’s a big challenge, but I think we line up pretty well against them,” Hurdle said. “We’ve got Kim and Francis and (Jason) Jennings going. So we are going to be able to throw probably as a good a punch as we’ve got right now.”
The Rockies were originally scheduled to face three-time Cy Young winner Pedro Martinez on Saturday night, but he’s on the disabled list with an injured calf. Instead, the Rockies will get one of two lefties brought up from Triple-A, either Oliver Perez or Dave Williams.
Beltin’ Helton
According to Hurdle, Todd Helton’s hits not only are coming more frequently, they have more “thump” behind them. That was clear when Helton hit his fifth triple of the season in the fourth inning Thursday. He batted .458 (11-for-24) with two triples and three doubles in the seven-game homestand.
Could it be that Helton is heating up at just the right time?
“I feel better at the plate and I’m seeing it,” he said. “If I’m seeing it, I have a better chance to hit it.”
Footnotes
Left fielder Matt Holliday pronounced himself “much improved” after hitting off a batting tee Thursday. His left wrist was bruised after getting hit by a pitch Monday night. He missed the past three games but said there’s a good chance he’ll play tonight. … Jamey Carroll snapped an 0-for-8 stretch with a second-inning double and finished 2-for-4.
