Most of the pre-game buzz was about the make-up of the playoff roster and rotation. He’s undecided about the number of pitchers, but I’m thinking 11. They will take four starters, but whether that role is filled by Steve Trachsel or John Maine is uncertain. Willie Randolph did say Maine might pitch in the pen sometime this month, but he doesn’t have an overriding curiousity.
About Lastings Milledge? Hmmm. If he makes it, it will be as a pinch runner. He’s not going to hit for anybody, and he’s not good enough defensively to go in for the late innings. He’d only play in the case of an injury. But, in that case, I’d rather take Endy Chavez. Personally, I’d rather have another pitcher.
NOTES: Cliff Floyd’s Achilles is still tender, but he’s starting. … Omar Minaya remains hopeful on reserve catcher Ramon Castro being available. … If the Mets win tonight it would officially end Atlanta’s run of 14 straight division titles.
LINEUP
SS Jose Reyes: .300, 19, 75
C Paul Lo Duca: .309, 4, 41
CF Carlos Beltran: .284, 40, 114
1B Carlos Delgado: .265, 37, 102
3B David Wright: .308, 24, 109
LF Cliff Floyd: .238, 11, 40
RF Shawn Green: .282, 13, 59
2B Jose Valentin: .281, 15, 55
LHP Oliver Perez: 3-11, 6.58
