Preview/Prediction

Twenty-three games into the season, and the name we've wanted to see at the top of the order has finally gotten his shot.

Better mark this down in the history books: On May 2, 2009, Jordan Schafer first batted lead-off for the Atlanta Braves.

Many congratulations to the 22-year-old, as he has truly earned this opportunity. In the entire St. Louis series and the first game against Houston, the Braves' center fielder has drawn six walks while striking out only twice.

San Diego Padres (11-11) at Los Angeles Dodgers (15-8)

Jake Peavy versus Clayton Kershaw.

The San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers continue their four-game series as both teams jockey for position in the National League West division.

Online sports betting handicappers will get a chance to see a staff ace, Jake Peavy, square off with a potential future staff ace, Clayton Kershaw in the contest.

This weekend, the New York Mets-Philadelphia Phillies rivalry will be renewed, as the two teams will be playing a three-game series at Citizens Bank Park.

Despite the slight similarity in name, the Mets' new home, Citi Field, is very different from Citizens. Citizens Bank is a bashing box, while Citi...well, not so much. 

There have been more than 10 triples in Citi Field's first 12 games. The Mets have a 6-6 record in their new home so far this season, which isn't bad, but they can definitely do a lot better.

Who says there aren't any big series in May? Perhaps if you live in any other city in the world other than New York you may think that's true. Not here, not now, not ever.

I begrudgingly admit that the greatest rivalry in all sports is the New York Yankees vs. the Boston Red Sox. Nothing else comes close. There are those rivalries that are older, even some that have played more games against each other, but none of them have captured the passion nationwide as those rivals have.

BY MICHAEL GANCI
EDITOR

Today, the Mets will start a series of epic proportions against their biggest rival, the Philadelphia Phillies. The Mets will be going into the bandbox of a stadium and there will be no smiles unless the Mets come out on top. In order to do so, they are going to need big performances from their big-time players, including Jose Reyes and David Wright, both of whom are in big slumps at the moment.

The San Francisco Giants will finish off their six-game homestand this weekend with three games against the Colorado Rockies. The Rockies are in last place in the NL West with an 8-12 record and are beginning a five-game road trip out West.

The Giants are 10-10 and are only three games behind the Dodgers.

The Giants are playing very well at home this season and have an 8-3 record at AT&T Park. The Rockies have a 4-7 road record.

The Mets—erm, the 9-12, 4th place New York Mets—have been shaky to say the least so far this season. 

But May is a new month, and if there was a time for the Mets to get pumped, it's this weekend, as they visit Philadelphia for the first time in 2009 to play the Phillies—erm, the 2008 World Series Champion, Philadelphia Phillies ( if there needed to be any more reason for the Mets to hate the Phillies, there it is).

The past 11 games have been nothing short of amazing for Red Sox Nation.

The Red Sox, who at first couldn't buy a win, won every way possible.

Pitcher's duels? Check.

Yesterday, the teams in Cleveland saw a 0-0 game go into the ninth inning. On Sunday the 19th, Jon Lester turned in a gem, striking out nine as the Red Sox beat the Orioles 2-1.

Offensive blowouts? Check.

Tonight is a very important game for the Mets. They have won three of their last four games and they are looking to continue to build momentum.

Livan Hernandez, whose job is anything but secure, will take the hill for the Mets, while Ricky Nolasko will be taking the hill for the Fish. If Hernandez puts up a similar outing to his last one, many people will call for the promotion of Tim Redding, who has hit as high as 93 MPH with his fastball during his rehab assignment.

At this time last April, the Rangers were seven games back of first place in the AL West. They were in a slide that would take them all the way down to a 7-19 record.

Then something happened.

They had one of the best Mays a Texas Ranger team has ever had. They went 18-10 and were six games above .500, their high water mark for the season. It turned out to be a winning summer, but the Rangers could not dig themselves out of an early hole.