The Mets start a very tough series today against the Diamondbacks in Arizona against the hitting sensation, and possibly a pitching sensation, Micah Owings. Owings faced the Mets once last year picking up a no decision in 6 innings pitched, allowing 3 earned runs, 4 BB and striking out 5. The above 4.00 ERA Owings last year is now two ticks below 3.50 this season pitching 5 games with 31 innings pitched to the tune of a 4-0 record.
More amazing is his batting line which is 5 R, 8 H, 2B, HR, 3 RBI (.421 BA) in only 19 AB this season. Last year he hit 4 home runs on his way to a Silver Slugger. In other words, he stands in between Santana and the silver slugger award this year. The bad news really is that the majority of the Mets have poor numbers against Owings:
    Beltran 1-1, HR, 2 BB
    Delgado, Reyes, Wright 0-9, 2 K (Both Delgado)
    Pagan 1-2, 3B, 2 RBI
    Casnova 1-3, 3B
Maine will be pitching for the Mets tonight and last year he was pretty good against the Dbacks. In two games and a 1-1 record he pitched 12 innings, walked one, struck out 14 and posted a 2.25 ERA. With the exception of Jackson, the Diamondbacks struggle against Maine:
    Hudson 2-10
    Byrnes 1-6
    Jackson 4-6
    Young 1-5
    Reynolds 0-3
Owings has no plate appearances against Maine yet, needless to say, he is not the automatic out at the bottom of the lineup. If we get the Maine that we saw in Spring Training this year, the Mets will stand a chance in this game.If we get the Maine that has struggled a bit this year (referring to his first start) then this game will be tough to win, but still winnable. Just forget their record and go for it.
Lets Go Mets!