Plax 4 Prez Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 Maine rises from obscurity to Game 1 start NEW YORK -- Dozens of reporters trolled through the Mets' clubhouse Tuesday morning, circling every star who paused in front of his locker -- first catcher Paul Lo Duca, then Carlos Beltran, then Tom Glavine. John Maine, on the other hand, dressed unencumbered, nodding at a couple of clubhouse attendants as they passed. Who could have known that within two hours, circumstances would push him front and center into the Mets' quest to follow up their incredible regular season with a championship? Maine will start Game 1 of the National League Division Series against the Dodgers, now that the Mets know Orlando Hernandez has a Grade 2 tear of his right calf muscle and is out indefinitely. And to think that last winter, Maine almost didn't make it with the Mets. Maine, 25, was stalled in his progress with the Orioles, pitching 10 games for Baltimore last season and compiling a 6.30 ERA. He was not part of the conversation when the Orioles and Mets began discussing a trade of right-hander Kris Benson for reliever Jorge Julio. When word leaked out of the proposed deal, however, the Mets were criticized for not getting enough, and so they then asked for Maine in addition. The right-hander began the year in Double-A, was summoned for one start in May, sent back down, and wasn't called up again until July 3. Maine does not throw especially hard -- 90-92 mph -- but there is something in his delivery that keeps hitters from seeing the ball, and the deception effectively adds to his velocity. Hitters often react as if he throws 94-95, with right-handed batters often peeling foul balls over the first-base dugout, or missing altogether. In his second start with the Mets on July 3, Maine whiffed seven Pirates in 4.2 innings. In 16 appearances this year, he has picked up 71 strikeouts in 90 innings, compiling a solid 3.60 ERA, with opponents hitting just .212. Consistency sometimes eludes Maine, however. He allowed 13 runs in 22 innings in his last four starts, and often runs his pitch count up quickly. But the Mets will not need him to be dominant this postseason. Armed with a deep bullpen, they just need Maine to throw five good innings before turning the ball over to the relievers. A greater question mark for the Mets, should the series play out and get extended, is who will be their fourth starter. It could be Darren Oliver, who has worked in long relief effectively for the Mets, but it may well turn out to be Oliver Perez, who had so many problems with Pittsburgh earlier this year that he was sent down to Triple-A, less than two years after he ranked among the most effective left-handers in the majors. Perez whiffed 239 batters in 199 innings for the Pirates in 2004. But he had fallen so far that he was nearly a secondary piece in two deals in the waning minutes before the trade deadline. First, the Mets got him from the Pirates on July 31, along with Roberto Hernandez, for Xavier Nady, after the Mets had learned that reliever Duaner Sanchez had hurt his arm. The Mets then tried to work out a deal with the Padres for reliever Scott Linebrink. Perez would have been in that trade, had San Diego turned down the offer. He stayed with the Mets, and now he and Maine might have multiple opportunities to be part of club folklore if the team wins the World Series -- or to become trivia answers from dark days in the Mets' history, the last days of the 2006 season, when their best starters kept straining calf muscles and tendons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feefifoefum Posted October 5, 2006 Share Posted October 5, 2006 John Maine did OK today. He got a little lucky when the Dodgers ran themselves out of a big inning, but I thought he did pretty good considering the circumstance and the short notice that Game 1 was on him. I thought the first inning was huge. He got them out very quickly and I'm sure it helped him relax a little. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herc Posted October 5, 2006 Share Posted October 5, 2006 8 baserunners in 4 innings isn't that great, and the mets blew a lead, but the dodgers are overmatched in this series. that lineup alone can carry the mets Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gateb Posted October 5, 2006 Share Posted October 5, 2006 Gutty performance by the kid today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jranieli Posted October 5, 2006 Share Posted October 5, 2006 I am happy with the way Maine pitched. He made some mistakes but also had a few good innings. By only going 4.1 innings, he will be able to pitch a game 4 if he is needed. What I am really disapointed in is leaving Mota in. I understand the move but why not bring in Heilman in for an extra out or two but again, I understand it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gateb Posted October 5, 2006 Share Posted October 5, 2006 I am happy with the way Maine pitched. He made some mistakes but also had a few good innings. By only going 4.1 innings, he will be able to pitch a game 4 if he is needed. What I am really disapointed in is leaving Mota in. I understand the move but why not bring in Heilman in for an extra out or two but again, I understand it. What about Roberto Hernandez? Didn't we trade a big part of our batting lineup to get him? What are we gonna do with Roberto anyway? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jranieli Posted October 5, 2006 Share Posted October 5, 2006 What about Roberto Hernandez? Didn't we trade a big part of our batting lineup to get him? What are we gonna do with Roberto anyway? I was going to ask the same question. Too this day, I wish we never made that move. Lets not get into it because it is a little touchy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herc Posted October 5, 2006 Share Posted October 5, 2006 the move made sense if hernandez was goiung to be the 8th inning guy..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herc Posted October 5, 2006 Share Posted October 5, 2006 i'm biased though, i always liked nady and even though we got cameron i hated seeing him go Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plax 4 Prez Posted October 5, 2006 Author Share Posted October 5, 2006 i'm biased though, i always liked nady and even though we got cameron i hated seeing him go I loved Nady, and would have given up Floyd instead of him if it were my decision Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Jeans Posted October 5, 2006 Share Posted October 5, 2006 I loved Nady, and would have given up Floyd instead of him if it were my decision What do you have against Floyd? The man has had a Beltran-like decline (injuries) and is a good player when healthy. (on his road to getting there) I didn't mind dumping a .260 hitter who was terrible RISP and against right handers for a chance at a former stud lefty. Endy deserved more of a role as well, anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plax 4 Prez Posted October 6, 2006 Author Share Posted October 6, 2006 What do you have against Floyd? The man has had a Beltran-like decline (injuries) and is a good player when healthy. (on his road to getting there) I didn't mind dumping a .260 hitter who was terrible RISP and against right handers for a chance at a former stud lefty. Endy deserved more of a role as well, anyway. I agree to that... Chavez is faster, smarter, and has a cannon as a arm... I like him over Floyd and Nady... Floyd is alright in my opinion, but he never stay healthy... I'd rather Nady than Floyd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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