The Mets start their first series against the Braves this season tonight in Queens. The Braves are coming off of a two game losing streak and own a 8-7 record. The Mets are coming off of their first winning series of the season and have a 7-9 record. The pitching matchup tonight features Kawakami for the Braves and everyone's favorite reconstruction project, John Maine.
John Maine is coming off of a slightly better start where he allowed 3 earned runs over 5 innings. At the start of the game, his velocity was up (92) but started to drop off as the game went on. He actually was getting by until the fifth inning until he allowed a 3 run homer. However he had to work a lot during the game and walk a very thin line. It was though a performance that he could build off of. Last season he pitched one game against the Braves and it was a quality start as he allowed only 3 ER over 6 innings. The Braves have these numbers against Maine lifetime:
McCain 2-13
Chipper 5-11
McClouth 1-8
Diaz 2-6
Maine's goal for the night is to keep the Mets in the game. If he can do that, and if the Mets can scrap together runs, then this will be a good game. Once again, like every start for Maine, this is important because he has been basically identified as the weak link in the Mets rotation.
To score runs the Mets will have to get to Kawakami. Kawakami has lost both of his starts this season with an 0-2 record and a 4.91 ERA. Last season he was pretty fantastic against the Mets as he had a 2.19 ERA over 5 games and 3 starts against the Mets. In his two seasons in the majors, the Mets have been able to compile these numbers against him:
Pagan 3-8
Francoeur 3-8, 2 2B
Wright 2-5, 2B
The Mets bats were able to break the game open late yesterday and hopefully today they will be able to do it early in game. Lets Go Mets! Beat the Braves!
