PREGAME: Mets @ Braves (Game One)

The New York Mets (10-13) continue their short road trip tonight as they take on the Atlanta Braves (11-13) at Turner Field. John Maine (1-2, 5.40) takes the mound for the Mets, while Javier Vazquez (2-2, 3.38) pitches for the Braves. This is the first meeting between the two teams this season.

Game time is 7:00 PM EST, and will be broadcast locally on SNY. Follow live online with MLB.TV or MLB.com's Gameday application.

Pitching Matchup
John Maine (Career vs. Braves): 6 GS, 2-3, 5.17 ERA, 31.1 IP, 31 K, 1.596 WHIP

Javier Vazquez (Career vs. Mets): 21 GS, 8-7, 3.25 ERA, 141.1 IP, 126 K, 1.097 WHIP

Tonight's Lineup
Jose Reyes, ss
Daniel Murphy, lf
Carlos Beltran, cf
Carlos Delgado, 1b
David Wright, 3b
Ryan Church, rf
Ramon Castro, c
Luis Castillo, 2b
John Maine, sp

Mets Hitters vs. Javier Vazquez
Jose Reyes: 3 for 10, 3B, SO
Daniel Murphy: 0 for 0
Carlos Beltran: 0 for 6, 3 SO
Carlos Delgado: 4 for 24, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 2 BB, 6 SO
David Wright: 1 for 3
Ryan Church: 1 for 6, SO
Ramon Castro: 2 for 7, RBI, 2 BB, 3 SO
Luis Castillo: 24 for 67, 2 2B, 3B, HR, 7 RBI, 7 BB, 6 SO

Game Notes

• Carlos Delgado and Luis Castillo are back in the lineup after sitting out most of last week with injuries.
• The Mets are 298-355-1 all-time against the Braves.
• The Mets were 1-8 last season at Turner Field, and are 32-66 all-time at the ballpark.
• In his previous start, John Maine held the Marlins heavy-hitting offense to just one hit and one run in six innings, while walking three and striking out four.
• The Mets have been out-scored by opponents in every inning except the first, seventh, and eighth innings.

After having their trip in Philadelphia cut short due to rain, the Mets are traveling to Atlanta to pray for the weather to clear up. The forecast calls for rain at various times throughout the night, but all signs point to the game being started on-time so far.

John Maine has simply struggled against the Braves, while Javier Vazquez has been solid against the Mets. Of course, most of his games against the Mets come years ago during his time with the Montreal Expos, so it's hard to say how he would perform against them now. The only Met with a decent hitting record against him, however, is Luis Castillo, who faced him many times when the two were on rival teams in the AL Central. Yet, for some odd reason, Castillo is hitting eighth in the lineup tonight. What happened to getting your hot hitters more at-bats, Jerry?

Sometimes I swear Manuel is asleep at the wheel. Let's just hope he doesn't cost the Mets another game tonight with his horrible coaching decisions.

Let's Go Maine, and Let's Go Mets!