Minnesota @ New York preview
Citi Field
Last Meeting ( Jun 25, 2010 ) Minnesota 2, NY Mets 5
Johan Santana gave the Minnesota Twins eight great years. Right now, he and the New York Mets could use one great game at the Twins' expense.
The Mets' ace left-hander takes on his former team on Saturday afternoon at Citi Field. He'll face off with veteran Carl Pavano in the middle game of an interleague series between two teams battling for position in their respective divisions.
Santana compiled a 93-44 record in eight seasons with the Twins before the club traded him to the Mets after the 2007 season. He twice earned American League Cy Young Award honors with Minnesota.
But now he finds himself in the opposite dugout, and the Mets need a win as they try to keep pace with the Atlanta Braves in the percolating NL East race.
With Friday's 5-2 victory in the series opener, the Mets have won 13 of 15 at home and 15 of 19 overall. New York, however, remains a half-game behind the Braves, who held onto first place and helped Minnesota maintain its half-game lead in the AL Central by beating the Detroit Tigers, 3-1, on Friday.
Santana (5-4, 3.31 ERA) has been pedestrian in his last three starts, allowing four runs each time out. He is 1-2 with a 5.49 ERA in that span.
Things have been trending in the opposite direction for the Twins' projected starter, the veteran right-hander Pavano.
Plagued by injuries in recent years, Pavano has been durable for the Twins so far this year. He has gone at least seven innings in 10 of his last 11 starts and has factored in the decision in all 14 outings.
Pavano (8-6, 3.64 ERA) has won his last three starts, including his best outing of the season on Sunday at the Philadelphia Phillies. He threw a complete game, holding the Phillies to one run on four hits without issuing a walk. Pavano has a 2.25 ERA in 24 innings over his last three starts.
The Twins could use another great performance as they look to snap a season-long four-game losing streak. They've dropped six of eight and are in danger of losing their grip on first place in the AL Central for the first time since April 11.
First baseman Justin Morneau has been one of few bright spots for the Twins over the past week. Morneau has multiple hits in the past six games and is 13-for-27 during that stretch.
Jose Reyes and David Wright continue to power the Mets' offense, as both had two hits Friday.
Reyes is 30-for-68 (.441) with five homers, 10 RBIs and 20 runs scored in his last 16 games. Wright is 36-for-89 (.405) with five homers and 26 RBIs in 23 games since May 30 and leads the National League with 59 RBIs.