Sunday, August 24, 2008By Mike Steffanos
Game 130: Astros 8 - Mets 3
I appreciate John Maine's toughness and desire to help this team down the stretch. The problem is that John Maine without his explosive fastball is very unlikely to provide much help.
While the Mets say Maine is unlikely to hurt his shoulder further trying to pitch through the pain, any risk is unacceptable at this point. Perhaps a junkballer who relies on deception could get by with a diminished fastball, but good offensive teams are likely to do to Maine what the Astros did last night.
I'm not trying to be reactionary here, but I saw nothing in last night's effort that gave me any encouragement that things will get better for Maine. They're going to need him next year, and there is no sense in jeopardizing that for what we're seeing out of him now.
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Comments (1)
i certainly agree. the Mets need him for the future. I just wonder who they could tab to pitch his innings for the rest of the season, given the frailty/untrustworthiness of the rotation and preposterous badness of the pen. For the playoffs, you have to think some combo of johan/pedro/pelf/ollie will do, but you still need someone to get them there. Also if Maine has the surgery now (vs. after grinding out the season) will he be ready for next season? You just never know with that surgery stuff. Doctors swore i'd play piano again.
Posted by itsmetsforme | August 24, 2008 7:30 PM