Get Ready For The MAINE Event

Marty Noble at Met.com, gives a preview of tonights game:

It's Randy Johnson versus John Maine tonight. One of them has a 4-0 record, a 1.35 ERA, the other is winless is two starts. And this isn't just one of those "It's early in the season" things that contradicts how the baseball world sees the two starting pitchers.

Maine, the National League Pitcher of the Month for April has won three starts away from Shea Stadium, produced an 0.86 ERA and struck out 21 batters in 21 innings -- rather Unit-esque.

And Johnson is to face a team that, during his two seasons with the Yankees, beat on him. His record in four starts against the Mets was 0-2 with a 7.13 ERA.

What all that means is, well ... nothing. As John Schuerholz says, "Stats are like autopsies. They don't tell you what's going to happen."

The Pitchers:

John Maine (4-0; 1.35ERA)

Maine has been spectacular in the first part of the season. He struck out a career-best eight batters and allowed only three hits in Sunday's 1-0 win over the Nationals. Maine appears to be quickly growing into the type of strong young pitcher the Mets would like, especially since a part of their starting rotation is older. But he's clearly been dominant at times this season.

Randy Johnson (0-1; 6.55ERA)

Johnson made his second start of the season on Sunday afternoon, and he showed much better command and control than in his first outing. Johnson allowed three runs -- two earned -- in six innings, walking one and striking out five. He was slated to throw around 100 pitches again, and was able to go one more inning with that pitch count than his previous outing. He left with the game tied in a contest the D-backs eventually won.

Player To Watch:

Moises Alou has eight hits in 14 career at-bats against Johnson.