The Mets will try to turn around the ship tonight as John Maine and the Mets take on the first place Diamondbacks. The Mets have already played Diamondbacks in a three game set where the Mets took 2 out of 3. To win today, they will have to beat Owings (again) and shut down the dangerous Arizona offense.
Last time the Mets faced Owings, they really teed off on him. He lasted 5.2 innings allowing 10 hits, 7 runs (6 earned), walked three and struck out 2 on his way to a loss. He has an identical record as Maine this year at 6-4, but his ERA is 4.50 over 72 innings. In 2007, he got a no decision against the Mets over 6 innings, allowing 3 runs, 4 walks and striking out 5. Here are some numbers the Mets offense have put up against him:
Beltran 1-3, HR, 4 BB
Reyes 3-7, 2B, 3B
Wright 3-7, 2B, HR
Delgado 2-5
The Mets will miss Church today, who is 3-7, 2B, HR, BB against Owings, but they have enough offense that have good numbers against him. Key here is for Reyes and Wright to get back to hitting today, and put San Diego behind them.
Maine also has a start against Arizona this year. He got the win with 6 innings pitched, allowing 2 runs, walking 2 and striking out 6. In 2007, he had a 1-1 record in as many games against Arizona pitching 12 innings, with 3 ER, BB, 14 K. Maine is fresh off a good start in San Francisco, and hopefully his good fortunes traveled back with him. Here are some Arizona numbers against Maine:
Hudson 3-13, 2B
Drew 1-8, 2B
Jackson 5-9
Young 3-8
Reynolds 0-6
The two most dangerous players in the lineup against Maine are Young and Jackson. If he contains those two tonight, he should be able to breeze through this line up and lead the Mets back into the win column.
Lets Go Mets!
