The Mets play their first evening game of season as they take on the Marlins in Citi Field at 7:10. The Mets are coming off of an Opening Day where pretty much everything was working. The lineup was able to score runs. The starting pitcher was more than effective. The bullpen was a relief. Anyway, the Mets will see the reality of a major off-season topic tonight; can the rest of the rotation pitch effecitively? It will be the Maine event on the mound as John will take on Nolasco for the Marlins.
Maine only pitched 81 innings last season, but he racked up a 7-6 record and a 4.43 ERA. Oddly, during that short amount of time, he faced the Marlins four times with a 2-1 record over 21.2 innings, with 17 strikeouts and a 3.74 ERA. During Maine's entire carear, the Fish have been able to put up these numbers:
Ramirez 6-23, 2B, 2 HR
Cantu 6-15, 2 2B
Coghlan 1-6, 2 K
Maybin 1-3, HR
Overall on Monday, the Mets pitching staff was able to keep the Marlins contained. If the Mets pitchers can do the same thing again tonight (keep the ball in the park) and if the Mets defense can be effective again, then from this side of the ball, the game should be pretty smooth.
Nolasco is coming off of a disapointing season. Last year he could not replicate the success he had in 2008. At the end of 2009 his line read 13-9, 5.06 ERA over 185.0 innings pitched. He faced the Mets four times last year and had a 1-1 record over 23.1 innings with a 5.40 ERA. The Mets were able to cause the following damage:
Francoeur 7-23, 3 2B, 2 HR, 3 K
Castillo 6-14
Bay 2-12
Pagan 3-6, 2B
Cora 2-2, 2B, BB
The Mets were able to score runs yesterday thanks to their ability to take advantage of mistakes. That's a great theme for this season. Capitalize on other's mistakes because they will (inevitably) do the same to us. Lets go Mets! Fry the fish and take this Opening Season!
