It could be the longest day of the year at Shea Stadium for Willie Randolph (pictured), and that goes beyond the scheduled doubleheader against Texas. Will a sweep by the power-laden Rangers spell the end of the Randolph era? We shall see.

Randolph seemed in good spirits before Game 1, perhaps having reached the realization the situation is largely beyond his control. As far as his lineup goes, Trot Nixon is making his Mets debut after being acquired from the Diamondbacks on Friday, starting in right field in the first game behind John Maine.

The Game 1 order for the 32-34 Mets is:

Jose Reyes SS

Luis Castillo 2B

David Wright 3B

Carlos Beltran CF

Carlos Delgado 1B

Trot Nixon RF

Brian Schneider C

Endy Chavez LF

John Maine RHP

The 34-35 Rangers are going with this lineup:

Ian Kinsler 2B

Michael Young SS

Josh Hamilton CF

Milton Bradley RF

David Murphy LF

Frank Catalanotto 1B

Gerald Laird C

Ramon Vazquez 3B

Kevin Millwood RHP