MONTREAL – As the 2003 season nears a close, the Expos return home to Montreal this Friday, hosting a three-game series against the New York Mets. The club will then face the division-leading Atlanta Braves beginning Monday (September 15) in their final three home games of the season.

The six-game homestand will be the last chance this season for Expos fans to see Cy Young candidate Livan Hernandez in action. Since the beginning of July, Hernandez is 9-2 with a 1.54 ERA (18 ER/ 105 IP) and 95 strikeouts. Prior to tonight's game against the Cubs, he is tied for second in the National League with 15 wins and sixth in the league with a 2.86 ERA. Hernandez also leads all NL pitchers with 7 complete games and is second in the league with 208.0 innings pitched, behind teammate Javier Vazquez, who has tossed 209.0 innings.

The Expos have won 14 of their last 15 at the Big O. During the Expos' last homestand, the club went a perfect 4-0, sweeping the Philadelphia Phillies in front of over 83,000 fans. The Expos have been outstanding at Olympic Stadium this year, going 36-17. Since Frank Robinson took over the helm of the club in 2002, the Expos are 85-49 (.634) on Montreal turf.

Probable starters for the Mets/Expos series are as follows:
Friday @ 7:05 p.m.: LHP Al Leiter (14-7, 4.02) vs. Javier Vazquez (12-10, 3.27)

Saturday @ 7:05 p.m.: Steve Trachsel (14-9, 3.85) vs. T.J. Tucker (0-2, 4.54) Sunday @ 1:05 p.m.: LHP Tom Glavine (9-12, 4.36) vs. Zach Day (7-7, 4.07)

After the homestand, the Expos will finish the season with a nine-game road trip to New York, Atlanta, and Cincinnati.

SPECIAL EVENTS

CALLING ALL COLLECTORS: The first 10,000 fans on Friday will receive a pack of Donruss baseball cards, featuring the Expos' All-Time greatest players. Included in this Friday's pack are current Expos Orlando Cabrera and Jose Vidro.

BOBBLEHEAD SUNDAY: Sunday will also mark the Expos' final bobble head day of the season, with 5,000 fans in attendance receiving a Jose Vidro bobble head figurine. Over the Expos' eight promotional giveaway Sundays this season, the club averaged more than 16,000 fans a game. NOTE: A kiosk will be open in the Rotunda on September 15-16 as of 3:00 p.m. to allow fans to exchange their bobble heads and complete their collection (based on availability).

FAN APPRECIATION DAY: The Expos will thank their fans for their support this year on Wednesday, September 17 as they host the Braves in the final home game of the season. Fans will have the chance to win authentic autographed items and other prizes throughout the game such an game jerseys of every Expos player and coaches as well as baseballs and other surprises.

ON THE TUBE: Saturday's game vs. the Mets will be broadcast live on RDS. As well, RDS will show the following games:

Tuesday, September 16 - Atlanta - 7:00 p.m.

Tuesday, September 23 - @ Atlanta - 7:30 p.m.

Montreal Expos - 10 September 2002