Will Francisco Rodriguez play on Broadway?

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LAS VEGAS -- New York can be a tough place to play, especially if you do most of your work with the game on the line.

But Francisco Rodriguez’s former manager and his current skipper both think the Mets’ new closer will do just fine there.

‘His talent plays anywhere,’ Angels Manager Mike Scioscia said of Rodriguez, who saved 208 games during six seasons in Anaheim, including a single-season-record 62 this past season. ‘And I think that if you’re a closer and you have that mentality, you should be able to pitch anywhere.

‘He has that makeup. He can pitch in any city at any time. He’s not intimidated by any situation ... and he’ll be able to handle whatever pressures might be perceived pitching in New York.’

The Mets are betting at least $37 million over three years that Scioscia is right -- and that’s a big wager, even in Las Vegas.

‘You know, in New York you have to finish it out,’ Mets Manager Jerry Manuel said. ‘You have to win. New York is a passionate -- very, very passionate -- place for sports.

‘Obviously he’s a tremendously skilled closer. I was impressed with the energy that he had when he came out. And obviously along with that came some confidence. A very confident young man. He’s an exciting guy to talk about.’

-- Kevin Baxter