Mets open 4 game stand vs Dodgers

The New York Mets open up a four game series tonight at Shea Stadium against the Los Angeles Dodgers. First pitch is set for 7:10pm. Claudio Vargas (1-2) starts for the Mets and Brad Penny (5-5) goes for the Dodgers.

The Mets hope to gain some momentum from last night's thrilling 7-6 victory over the Marlins. The Mets took 2 of 3 against the first place Marlins, after losing six of the previous seven games. With all the controversy surrounding the club of late, this would certainly be an opportune time for the Mets to get on a roll.

In a scheduling glitch, or worse, the Mets host the Dodgers on ESPN's Sunday night baseball, then fly across country to play in San Francisco on Monday night. Think about it...the game will end around 11:30 EST, the Mets then have to deal with their post game responsibilities, probably catch a 2:00am flight, fly five hours to Frisco, then play a game! That stinks!

New York Mets quick hits:

• starting pitchers for 5/30; John Maine vs Clayton Kershaw
• starting pitchers for 5/31; Mike Pelfrey vs Chad Billingsley
• starting pitchers for 6/1; Johan Santana vs Hiroki Kurada
• the Mets may look to aquire first baseman Scott Hattenberg if he clears waivers from the Reds
• the Dodgers enter the series at 26-26, 3.5 back
• the Mets are 25-26, 4.5 back
• this date in Mets history;  5/29/86, Sid Fernandez beat  Fernando  Valenzuela  5-2