PREGAME: Mets vs. Cardinals

The New York Mets (36-34) finish their series with the St. Louis Cardinals (40-33) today at Citi Field. Johan Santana (8-5, 3.22) will clash with Chris Carpenter (5-1, 1.53) in what figures to be a little less lopsided than last night.

Game time is 1:10 PM EST, and will be broadcast locally on SNY. Follow live online via MLB.TV or MLB.com's Gameday application.

Pitching Matchup
Johan Santana: 14 GS, 8-5, 3.22 ERA, 89.1 IP, 79 H, 27 BB, 97 K

Chris Carpenter: 9 GS, 5-1, 1.53 ERA, 58.2 IP, 33 H, 9 BB, 43 K

Today's Lineup

Alex Cora, ss

Luis Castillo, 2b

David Wright, 3b

Ryan Church, rf

Fernando Tatis, lf

Fernando Martinez, cf

Nick Evans, 1b

Omir Santos, c

Johan Santana, sp

Here's what I don't get: Carpenter is a dominant right-handed pitcher, and Tatis is still struggling with the bat. Daniel Murphy was starting to get hot, but he is now being benched in favor of a right-handed bat hitting just .256 this season.

Also, he said clearly that Brian Schneider would split time with Omir Santos, depending on who's pitching (RHP, LHP, etc.), yet Schneider, who came through with a clutch double last night, is on the bench in favor of Santos against the right-hander. I love Santos, but Manuel is really pissing me off.

Step right up, folks! See the Amazin' manager talk out of a place where the sun don't shine! Hurry, hurry! If you wait, he may actually start telling the truth and his legacy will be ruined!

Anyway, LGM!