Pitcher Ponage

(by Brett Kahn)

Tonight, the Mets face the Chicago Cubs and their ace Carlos Zambrano. Last season, Zambrano went 18-13 with a 3.95 ERA while striking out 177 in 216+ innings. It was the fifth straight year he has surpassed 200 innings. He has also finished fifth in the Cy Young race each of the last two seasons. However, there is a Mets' player that seems to fare very well against the fire-throwing righty.

Luis Castillo...

In 10 career AB's against Zambrano, Castillo has managed five hits (.500) and one RBI, while forcing six walks.

After batting in the eight spot in the Mets' lineup for the past few games, Willie Randolph decided to move Castillo back to the number two hole last night to add that base-stealing tandem with Reyes at the top of the order. Also, it's clear that Castillo hits better in the two hole (.301 career) then the eight (.224 career). Willie also knows that keeping the two of them at the top of the lineup will only add to David Wright's ability to keep driving in runs early and often.