Mets Merized Online

The Mets play the early game against the Pirates today for game two in this three game set. By winning, the Mets are will try to accomplish a few things today including winning their third consecutive series, extending their winning streak to 6 games, and try to take over the top spot in the east. Today also might be the toughest game in the series for the Mets as they have to take on one of the two top Pitchers the Pirates have (we face the other one tomorrow). To battle this pitcher, Maholm, the Mets will be sending John Maine.

Maine is 2-2 over 5 games and 27.2 innings on the season so far with a 5.20 ERA, 18 BB and 22 K. In his last two starts though he is 2-0 over 12.0 IP and has a 2.25 ERA. As of late he has been getting outs and performing when he needs to. A concern for him though is that he is still walking a lot of batters, so if he can keep that number down, then he should be that much better. Last year against the Pirates he got a no decision in 5 innings of work where he allowed 0 runs of any kind, 2 hits, walked 4 and struck out 3. Here are the numbers the Pirates have against him:

Sanchez 4-14
La Roche 2-6
McLouth 1-5, HR
Hinske 1-4

The Pirates are still well in their losing streak and we need to keep them playing like that. Maine, and hopefully the rest of the Mets pitching staff have to play on the natural impatience at the plate a team in this type of streak gets. With the way the Pirates play, just stopping the rally will be very helpful because as a team they do not have that much power but they can hit in succession.

The Mets will have to deal with Maholm who is 3-0 this season over 6 games and 39.1 IP, 13 BB, 19 K and a 2.97 ERA. He is the ace right now of this Pirates staff. In his last three games though he has pitched 18.3 IP, 1-0 record but has a 5.30 ERA. Last year against the Mets he got a no decision in 7 innings of work where he allowed 2 runs and 5 hits, walked 3 and struck out 4. He started off the season pretty much unhittable, but now he is. Jumping on him early is a good idea as long as it happens in the first inning and then again in another early inning in a way that it rocks Maholm from establishing a rhythm. Here are the numbers the Mets have against him:

Wright 3-14, 2B
Reyes 5-13
Beltran 2-8, 2B
Delgado 0-9
Castro 2-6

The Mets did a good job yesterday of scoring late in the game to get the win and if they can score early, late and often in this game, then they should be able to continue their streak and continue the Pirates streak. Lets Go Mets! Beat the Pirates!

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