(My Sportsbook) - Emotions are expected to run high on Saturday afternoon as Tom Glavine makes his return to Turner Field. The Mets snapped up the free- agent lefthander in the offseason after the two-time NL Cy Young Award winner threw his first 16 seasons in the majors in a Braves uniform.
Glavine became involved in a bidding war between a few clubs and eventually landed in New York after inking a three-year deal worth $35 million. The deal includes a fourth-year vesting option worth $7.5 million or a $3 million buyout.
"It's going to be strange," said the 37-year-old Glavine about playing in Atlanta. "Obviously pitching here with another team is going to be strange enough. Pitching against that lineup that I've watched play for so many years, it will be strange."
Glavine thrived in Atlanta, going 242-143 with a 3.37 ERA. After being part of a team that has consistently been at the top of its division, Glavine is stuck with a club that has struggled so far in 2003 and is mired in fourth place in the NL East.
"I have absolutely no emotion in me in going out there to try and prove anybody wrong," added Glavine. "What happened has happened and it's done and over with. If there's any motivation I have, it's improving four years from now that I was healthy enough and strong enough in pitching the four years that I wanted to pitch."
Glavine is 5-3 with a 3.41 ERA in 10 starts this season. The lefthander knows there will be fans attending the game on Saturday who won't be too fond of him being in a Mets uniform.
"I'm not nieve enough know enough there's going to be people who are going to boo me. That's their preogative. I don't know if it's going to be more people clapping or more people booing or a split. I really haven't given it too much thought."
WHO'S HOT
Vinny Castilla is 10-for-19 over his last four games with five homers, 10 RBI and seven runs scored.
WHO'S NOT
Chipper Jones is in an 8-for-39 slump.
COMING UP
After this three-game series against the Mets, the Braves will host the Cincinnati Reds for three games.
