A.J. Burnett began his year well, and he’s basically been dreadful since. Johan Santana began his year spectacularly, but even he’s slumped a bit lately.
Neither starter for today’s Subway Series finale comes in blazing hot. But Johnny Damon knows the Yankees need to be ready for Santana, the Mets’ superstar ace.
“Good pitcher. So we definitely have to be on our game,” Damon said. “Hopefully A.J.’s on his game too.”
Despite Santana’s recent struggles, the matchup today sees the Mets with a major edge. Burnett has terrific stuff, but he’s got a 4.89 ERA for the season, and since winning his first two starts, he has posted a 5.37 ERA in his last 10. He also is coming off a putrid outing against the Red Sox in which he lasted only 2 2/3 innings.
Burnett will be making his Subway Series debut, but he has faced the Mets plenty in the past since he spent time with the Marlins. In his career against the Mets, he is 2-6 with a 3.83 ERA — though he hasn’t faced them since Sept. 20, 2005.
“It all starts with the starter,” Joe Girardi said. “You set out to win every series and each team has a chance to do that [today].”
Santana, the one that got away from the Yanks, had a 0.78 ERA in his first seven starts this year, but in his last five, he has pitched to a 4.64 ERA — though he has gone 4-1 in those outings. Santana’s been outstanding against the Yankees in his career, having gone 4-1 with a 3.15 ERA in 10 games (seven starts) against them. He faced them twice last year with the Mets, going 1-1 with a 4.61 ERA.
Additional reporting by George A. King III