Today marks the third time in baseball history the New York Mets and New York Yankees play a day night two stadium double header. Perhaps its fitting considering this will be the final season for both ballparks. These days have not gone well for the Mets. They have not won a single game in the previous 2 day night affairs.

When the Mets met the Yankees back in May, they were the better team while the Yankees were sulking under .500. The roles have been reversed for this weekend’s 4 game series. The Mets cannot seem to move above the .500 mark (currently one game under) while the Yankees have played well and are now 6 games over the mark. However, the Mets are closer to first place than the Yanks. The Mets trail a reeling Phillies team by 3.5 games while the Red Sox are 5.5 games ahead of the third place Yankees. The Mets are also in third place.

Since the last meeting at Yankees stadium, the Mets have gone 16-19. If you recall after the first subway series, the Mets went to Atlanta and got swept. Since then the Mets have struggled to get back to .500. They have hit the mark a couple of times only to fall back below again. Things got so bad, Willie Randolph lost his job. You may recall that. This year will mark the first time ever that each series with the Yankees are managed by two different men. Since Jerry Manuel has taken over the Mets, the team has a record of 4-4. Gee, .500, how surprising.

Since the Mets are a .500 team and are unlikely to reach the playoffs, I look at this weekend as our baseball season. Perhaps when Ryan Church comes back and if Omar is able to swing a deal that enhances the Mets offense, things will change but let’s face it. After playing .500 for more than half the games last season and almost half the games this season, the Mets are a .500 team, no ifs ands or buts. So as a consolation, I would hope that the Mets can take 3 of 4 from the Yankees this weekend. That would make the season for me and most Mets fans.

We won’t be fooled this time. We won’t assume that the Mets are now headed in the right direction if t the Mets did somehow miraculously defeat the Yanks this weekend. I wouldn’t assume they will go into St. Louis and Philadelphia to wreck havoc. No, in fact I would expect them to completely tank. Because time and time again, this particular group of Mets players do exactly that. The Mets have become just so predictable. Like when the Mets get two out then the next batter doubles. I don’t care who’s pitching, inevitably, that run scores. It’s a lock.

I did not even get excited Wednesday night when the Mets walloped the Mariners 8-2. Here’s why. First the Mets defeated Batista who has been awful. Secondly, after the Mets scored 8 runs in the first three innings, the hitters went to sleep again. Sure 8 runs should be enough and it was against Seattle. But far too often, the Mets do all their scoring early then do nothing in the last several innings of the game. Did you really feel warm and fuzzy after Wednesday’s game?

Because both teams have become such a bore this season, ESPN shunned them for the Cubs-White Sox two weekends in a row. How can you blame them? Both Chicago clubs are in first place while both New York teams wallow in mediocrity.

So to me, this weekend is our World Series. After it’s over, win or lose, we can think about other summer activities. Swimming, boating, barbequing, etc. Oh and once in a while we can look in on the progress of Citi Field. Unless something changes, specifically the roster, I really do not see the Mets going very far this year. I appreciate what Jerry Manuel is trying to do. He’s attempting to change the culture of the team. That’s great, it really is. But there is only so much a carpenter can do with old tools.

The Mets hold a 27-35 record in Subway Series history (not including the 2000 World Series).

2008 College World Series Champions

Congratulations to Fresno State for winning the 2008 College World Series. It’s the first time in NCAA history for any sport that a team seeded so low won a championship. They were a true Cinderella story.