Series Preview: Mets vs. Cards

METS (55-47, 1st place/NL East) vs. CARDINALS (57-47, 3rd place/NL Central) Friday: RHP Mike Pelfrey (8-6, 3.81) vs. RHP Mitchell Boggs (3-1, 6.59), 7:10 p.m. (SNY, WFAN, WADO) Saturday: RHP Brandon Knight (5-1, 1.60 ERA at Triple-A New Orleans) vs. RHP Joel Piniero (3-4, 4.52), 7:10 p.m. (SNY, WFAN, WADO) Sunday: LHP Johan Santana (8-7, 3.05) vs. RHP Kyle Lohse (12-2, 3.35), 1:10 p.m. (CW11, WFAN, WADO) *** CARDINALS SHORT HOPS The closing role is in upheaval with Ryan Franklin not performing well as Jason Isringhausen’s successor. Franklin’s latest meltdown occurred Thursday in Milwaukee, when the Brewers rallied for a 4-3 win and four-game sweep on Ryan Braun’s two-run homer in the ninth. The St. Louis bullpen is 15-23 and has converted just 28 of 52 save chances. There’s been talk about splitting the closing role among Russ Springer , Kyle McClellan , Franklin and the ex-Met Isringhausen. Springer is the only one not to blow a game this week. ...  ... [link]