[EmpireWF]

Maine was called up to start later today against the Nationals. He was acquired in the Kris Benson trade from Baltimore with Jorge Julio. He does have some MLB experience with Baltimore. He's been pitching at AAA-Norfolk and has a pretty good ERA.

He's not a fireballer, he's a Bannister-esque pitcher in that he's more painting the zone.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by EmpireWF

Maine was called up to start later today against the Nationals. He was acquired in the Kris Benson trade from Baltimore with Jorge Julio. He does have some MLB experience with Baltimore. He's been pitching at AAA-Norfolk and has a pretty good ERA.

He's not a fireballer, he's a Bannister-esque pitcher in that he's more painting the zone.

I got a famiy member that went to school with Maine...tutored him in school...He is suppose to be a really nice guy and I wish him well...

[MJHMarc]

Same here, Gotham Dark Knight. I played with him in MLB 06:The Show, and he has got the talent. Here is an excerpt from Yahoo!'s MLB preview for tonight's game.

The bullpen may need to be ready early on Tuesday, as John Maine, who turns 25 next Monday, will take the mound for his Mets debut. The right-hander is filling in for Brian Bannister, who is on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right hamstring.

"He's having a nice little spring down at Triple-A," said Mets manager Willie Randolph of Maine's 1-3 record and 2.63 ERA for Norfolk, including a nine strikeout performance in his last start. "Right now, we feel like he's the best option for us. We'll bring him up and get him started."

Maine joined New York with reliever Jorge Julio in an offseason trade with the Baltimore Orioles for starter Kris Benson. He is 2-4 with a 6.60 ERA in 11 career appearances -- nine starts -- over two seasons with the Orioles.

Read the rest of the article at:http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/preview?gid=260502121

[EmpireWF]

So far, he looks like a nice little pitcher lol. Although he seems to get into trouble too much, he still gets out of it. Only allowed 3 runs through the first 4 innings thus far. A big 2 run HR from Soriano is the chunk of that. He's gotten out of some early jams though.

Also struck out 5 through 4 IP...he has potential.

[MJHMarc]

Final statistics are displayed below, courtesy of MLB.Com:

NY Mets IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA
Maine (L, 0-1) 5.1 6 4 4 2 6 1 6.75

Grading:
IP:+ (Lasted more than halfway through game)
H:- (Not bad. But that means he averages one hit per inning)
ER:- (Too many runs earned)
BB:+ (2 is fine. It can be lower though)
SO:+ (Great!)
HR: No Grade (Average)
ERA:- (Make it at least 3.50)

Overall Grade:-/+ (It's a split! 3-3's the count!)