The Mets open up a quick two game set in Atlanta tonight as there five (now four) game road trip continues. The Braves are the team I cannot stand. Anytime I see them win I get sick, especially when its against the Mets. I feel best about the Mets when they beat Atlanta. In my mind they are our rivals just based on history. Anyway, the Mets will be sending Maine up to the mound tonight as the Braves will be going with Vazquez, who they aquired over the off season to help solidify their starting rotation.
Maine, 1-2 on the year, has a 5.40 ERA over 21.2 innings pitched, 12 BB and 15 K. Last year he was 1-2 against the Braves and struggled as his 6.92 ERA shows (9 BB and 14 K over that time). However, he did fairly well against the Braves in 2007 with a 1-1 record over three games, 18.1 IP, 9 BB, 17 K and a 3.93 ERA. The big thing for Maine tonight is he had a good outing last time out on the mound and he needs to build on that to give this starting rotation the boost that it needs (especially after all of the Perez drama). Here are the stats the Braves have on Maine:
Escobar 3-12
Francoeur 3-14
Johnson 3-12, 2B, 3B
Chipper 5-9, HR
Prado 2-4
The Braves always seem to step it up when the play the Mets and the Mets need to play tonight with the same energy that they played over the weekend in Philly. If the Mets can keep the Braves Bats under control, then this could be a less stress night, but that is contigent on the offense.
Its been a while since the Mets have seen Javier Vazquez. The Last time he pitched against us was in 2005 where he got the loss after a great outing of 7 innings with 2 ER. On the season he is 2-2 over 4 games with a 3.38 ERA over 32.0 IP, 8 BB and a very nice 42 K. The K numbers worry me because this Mets team is striking out a lot, which can be morally crushing. Here are the numbers the Mets have against Vazquez:
Castillo 24-67, 2 2B, 3B, HR
Sheff 10-54, 3 2B, 3B, 2 HR
Delgado 4-24, 3 HR
Cora 6-17, 2B
Tatis 3-10, 2 2B
Reyes 3-10
Beltran 0-6
Wright 1-3
Delgado's numbers are very interesting as he has a very low batting average against Vazquez but when he makes contact, he makes it count as 3 of hsi 4 hits are homers. The Mets can probably really benefit having him back in the lineup tonight just because it will feel like their normal lineup more. Castillo will also be key tonight as they will need his experience against Vazquez to shine. Hopefully with the off day yesterday, Castillo and Sheff shared some tips about hitting Vazquez to the team, who on the whole has not seen him all that much (or all that recent). Lets Go Mets! Beat The Braves!
