Fargo's **MLB TOP PLAY** MLB Game of the Week - 5/2/2008 9:35:00 PM

New York Mets (Maine) +109

**MLB TOP PLAY** MLB Game of the Week The Mets make their first trip to the west coast and they look to be back in decent form. Despite a loss to Pittsburgh in their last game before heading out, they are 3-1 over their last four games following a horrendous 1-5 run. It has obviously been a streaky year for New York and I think we are getting it on one of its upswings. The offense has had its share of struggles but the pitching has kept things together and that will once again be the story tonight although the offense does have a good shot at breaking out.

Arizona brings in the best record in baseball and there is not a whole of bad about this team right now. The Diamondbacks need to be played against in spots and this is one of those spots. Facing a strong starter has kept the offense down in the past and that offense has shown some inconsistencies of late. Arizona has hit .245 or less in five of its last nine games and over its last 10 games it is hitting only .250. Pitching has been the key to success and that could falter tonight.

John Maine provided the Mets with the ace they needed last season and he has been in top form again this year. His first start of the season at Atlanta was shaky but since then, he has put together four starts, three of which were quality outings. He has posted a 2.66 ERA over those four games with the Mets winning three of those. Maine faced Arizona twice last season, going 1-1 but put up a 2.25 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in 12 innings. Maine has a 2.41 ERA in three night starts this year.

Micah Owings got headlines this week for that pinch hit home run he hit against Houston but it is the pitching we need to be concerned about here. He is coming off his worst start of the season last time out at San Diego as he allowed five runs in five innings of work. He tossed four straight quality starts prior to that but I expect the recent form to continue at least one more outing. He has faced the Padres and Giants in his last three starts and those offenses are certainly not like the one he faces tonight. Play New York Mets 2.5 Units

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