Still A Chance For Maine

After reading David Lennon’s last post on his Newsday blog (On The Mets Beat), I realized that there is still a chance that John Maine could become an All-Star this year.

Common sense would tell us that if even one starting pitcher backs out of the game, that Maine would have to be next in line. If not, then I would begin to get a little irritated on how much the pitchers are weighed on their reputation and not their performance.

Here’s some of David Lennon’s post:

Just lifted this chart from today's Newsday regarding Tony La Russa's pitching selections. John Maine definitely deserved a spot. Even so, there's probably a good chance he'll make it anyway. In this final week before the break, players are always bowing out for one reason or another.

Maine On The Game Yesterday

Matthew Cerrone at Mets Blog, writes about John Maine's post game comments:

Talking with reporters following yesterday’s game, Maine had the following to say regarding……his overall performance…

“I had very average stuff today, but I was able to keep us in it and not make it any worse and we came back and won, which is a good thing, but the last two games I didn’t really have great stuff, but it happens sometimes…

…whether Dave Roberts hit a mistake-pitch for a home run…

“I mean, it wasn’t across the plate, it was down, but I just left it in the middle of the plate a little bit. That’s what these guys do, you know. I mean, I expect to be punished for mistakes.”

Can Maine Do It?

Marty Noble at Mets.com, writes about John Maine and the path he's on:

John Maine has won his first five decisions, equaling what Pedro Martinez did last year, though Martinez did it in five starts, and Maine has made six. The club record for victories without a loss at the beginning of the season is 10, by Terry Leach in 1987. He finished his season with an 11-1 record. Pat Mahomes won his only eight decisions, all in relief, in 1999. Frank Viola won his first seven starts in 1990, and Tom Gorman produced a 6-0 record in 1985

Maine Gets Pitcher Of The Month

Gregor Chisholm at Mets.com, writes about John Maine and the award he received for the month of April:

Maine earned NL Pitcher of the Month honors on Wednesday after finishing April with a perfect 4-0 record. The 25-year-old leads the Major Leagues with a 1.35 ERA, allowing just five earned runs in 33 1/3 innings.

It was an impressive start to the season, but Maine isn't about to let the early success go to his head, because he knows it's going to be a long season.

"I've still got a lot of stuff to work on," Maine said. "I'm pleased, [but] I've got five more months. I've just got to keep it going. I've got to worry about May now."

Maine becomes the first Mets hurler to win the monthly award since Al Leiter in June 2000. Maine was 6-5 with a 3.60 ERA in the 2006 regular season and pitched even better in the playoffs, going 1-0 with a 2.64 ERA in three starts.

Smart Move Or Lucky Break?

Are the Baltimore Orioles kicking themselves for trading John Maine to the Mets in the off season, before the 2006 campaign? Are they wondering if Maine was really the throw I to the Julio for Benson deal or were they cleverly thrown off of the scent by a Wiley Omar? Did the Mets scouts ever anticipate that Maine was going to be this good this soon?

All those questions aside, Maine is that dominant (right now) and yes, the O’s have to be wondering what could have been.

But before we go on and say that Omar pulled one over on the O’s, let’s take a look at the facts.

John Maine came up to the Baltimore Orioles in 2004; he was only 22 years old. He only made 11 appearances and 9 starts for them. He only had a 2-4 record, while sporting an 8.06 ERA. Hardly dominant figures. As a matter of fact, one would say that Maine was on his way to a career that was quickly going nowhere. On top of all that, he had 25 strike out and gave 27 batters, free rides on balls and also gave up 9 homeruns. If all of those homeruns came while he was a starter, than it would have been roughly 1 per start.

No one could have seen what Omar was thinking, or what his intentions were. Maybe Maine was the throw in for Benson (and a bucket of balls for Anna Benson). One thing is true though, John Maine has turned from being nothing, to an ace out of nowhere.

Maine Is Off To Great Start

Mark Hale at The New York Post, writes about John Maine and how good of a start he's off to:

Maine's 4-0 this year and his ERA - 1.35 - ranked yesterday as the second best in the National League behind the Braves' Tim Hudson.

"It is," Billy Wagner said, when told that Maine's month has been so marvelous. "But after what we saw in the playoffs and his demeanor, I guess a lot of us aren't that shocked."Nevertheless, Maine's season has been surprising. He was a good pitcher for the Mets last year and his postseason outings were impressive. This season, though, Maine has been exceptional. He's given up 18 hits in 33.1 innings - a fantastic ratio - and the Mets are 5-0 in games he starts. "I'm pleased,"

Maine said of his strong April. "I've still got a lot of stuff to work on. I've got five more months. I've just got to keep it going. The month's over, and I've just got to worry about May now."

Main's Comments After The Game

Matthew Cerrone at Mets Blog, writes about John Maine and his comments on his almost no-hitter:

...being aware he was so close to throwing the first no-hitter in Mets history...

“I wasn’t aware of that until you just said it, honestly. That’s not something, I mean, that’s next to impossible to do, so, that’s not something, you know, at this point, I just want to get innings and help the team win. I don’t think about anything like that.”

...taking the mound with a four-run lead...

“It makes it easier, but I get in the habit sometimes where I need to go up there and think it’s zero-zero still, and I did a good job with that tonight.”

The Maine Event

David Lennon at Newsday, writes about John Maine and what he thinks his chances of making the rotation are:

The video is scheduled to be shown on Shea's DiamondVision screen at some point during this season, and it would be awkward if Maine is at Triple-A New Orleans for the premiere. There's probably no need to worry. Maine is a favorite of pitching coach Rick Peterson, and after last year's breakout season, when he went 6-5 with a 3.60 ERA - and streak of 26 scoreless innings - he's in a good spot to repeat."I don't think I'm any more of a front-runner than anyone else they brought in," Maine said.

"Last season was last season."

Maine breezed through a quick one inning of work in yesterday's intrasquad game and will get his first start Sunday against his former team when the Mets travel to Fort Lauderdale to play the Orioles.