NEW YORK -- Mets fans have heard about Johan Santana. They've heard about his bullpen and batting practice sessions, his exhibition games and his Major League starts. They've heard about his changeup, just as they've heard about his fastball and his slider. They've heard about the strikeouts; they've heard about the wins.

Now, and only now -- after months of speculation -- can they see him in person, at the place he's committed to call home for the next six years.

Santana will make his Shea Stadium debut on Saturday afternoon against the Brewers, after taking his first two rotation turns on the road. For the left-hander, it's a homecoming that both he and the Mets have awaited ever since his acquisition this past winter.

"Anytime he takes the ball, he's going to be ready to pitch," Mets manager Willie Randolph said. "He's always prepared, and I'm sure he'll be pretty pumped up to show the home folks what he's got, up close and personal. You're always confident when you give him the ball, he'll go out and keep us in the ballgame. We'll see. I'm looking forward to it."

Santana will oppose Milwaukee's ace, right-hander Ben Sheets, in the Saturday matinee. Those two have combined for a 0.92 ERA in four starts so far this season.

The Mets have won three in a row -- including a series-opening win on Friday night -- after starting the season 2-4. The Brewers, meanwhile, have lost three straight games.

Pitching matchup
NYM: LHP Johan Santana (1-1, 1.93 ERA)
Santana's overall line was better in his second start than it was in his first -- he allowed one run in seven innings, instead of two runs in his debut -- but he took the loss. Given his team's offensive reputation, a similar effort in his Shea Stadium debut should do just fine. Over his first two starts combined, Santana has fanned 11 batters and walked just two. He holds a lifetime 3-1 record and 3.32 ERA against the Brewers.

MIL: RHP Ben Sheets (1-0, 0.00 ERA)
Two starts into the season, Sheets has again established himself as one of the game's premier pitchers. He threw a complete-game shutout last Sunday against the Giants, allowing five hits and striking out eight. Though he beat the Mets once last year, pitching six effective innings at Shea, he still holds just a 5.45 career mark against them.

Tidbits
Reliever Duaner Sanchez pitched one scoreless inning with Triple-A New Orleans on Friday night, walking one batter and throwing 12 pitches. He is scheduled to throw again on Saturday, and could potentially join the club by early next week. ... Second baseman Luis Castillo, due back from injury on Saturday, holds a .438 career average in 16 at-bats against Sheets. ... With two hits on Friday, Angel Pagan upped his average to .387.

Tickets
 Buy tickets now to catch the game in person.

On the Internet
 MLB.TV
 Gameday Audio
•  Gameday
•  Official game notes

On television
• SNY

On radio
• WFAN 660, WADO 1280 (Español)

Up next
• Sunday: Mets (Oliver Perez, 1-0, 0.00) vs. Brewers (Jeff Suppan, 1-0, 2.03), 1:10 p.m. ET
• Monday: Off-day
• Tuesday: Mets (Mike Pelfrey, 1-0, 3.60) vs. Nationals (Jason Bergmann, 0-1, 10.45), 7:10 p.m. ET