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Braves-Mets Preview

Apr 23, 2010 - 6:16 AM By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO STATS Writer

Atlanta (8-6) at New York (6-9), 7:10 p.m. EDT

The rivalry between the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves could get rejuvenated by a pair of youngsters in Ike Davis and Jason Heyward.

The impressive rookies will get their first experience in this NL East matchup Friday night when the Mets and Braves open a three-game series at Citi Field.

Heyward, considered one of the top prospects in baseball, garnered attention after getting two hits with one homer and four RBIs in a season-opening win over Chicago on April 5. The 20-year-old right fielder leads the Braves (8-7) with four homers and 16 RBIs.

Davis' .480 batting average in spring training wasn't enough to win the starting job at first base for the Mets (7-9), but after he hit .364 in the minors, they opted to recall him Monday while designating veteran Mike Jacobs for assignment.

The 23-year-old Davis is off to a fast start in New York, going 6 for 15 with one double, one RBI and three runs in four games.

The two youngsters now get their first taste of this division rivalry, which Atlanta dominated last season by winning the last eight meetings to finish 13-5 against New York. The Braves quickly got accustomed to brand new Citi Field, going 7-2 there with a .297 batting average and 10 homers - seven more than the Mets.

Atlanta could use an offensive boost, entering this series with a .229 average following consecutive losses to Philadelphia, including an 8-3 defeat Thursday.

"It's worrisome," third baseman Chipper Jones told the team's official website of the struggles at the plate.

Heyward is also sputtering, going 0 for 5 in the last two games to see his average drop 29 points to .269.

Davis, meanwhile, had three hits and scored twice Thursday in a 5-2 victory over the Cubs, helping New York win three of four in the series. It was the Mets' first series win of the season after dropping the previous four.

"There's been a lot of ups and downs but at the same time we're learning from it," starter Johan Santana said after getting the win Thursday.

The Mets would like to see some improvement from John Maine (0-1, 10.38), who has had all three of his starts result in losses for New York.

The right-hander labored through five innings Sunday, throwing a season-high 115 pitches while allowing three runs and six hits and not getting a decision in a 5-3 loss at St. Louis.

While Maine struggled against the Cardinals, his effort was vastly improved from his outing five days earlier, when he was tagged for eight runs in three innings of an 11-3 loss at Colorado.

"I don't think it's going to be too long before I'm comfortable again," said Maine, who has served up a team-high four homers. "Throwing has never been this hard before."

Maine also has been inconsistent against Atlanta, going 3-3 with a 5.06 ERA while striking out 38 and walking 24 in 37 1-3 innings.

The Braves will give the ball to Kenshin Kawakami (0-2, 4.91), who gets a third chance at his first win of the season.

The right-hander struggled through five innings Saturday, throwing 103 pitches while allowing four runs and eight hits in a 4-0 loss to Colorado as Ubaldo Jimenez threw a no-hitter.

Kawakami has been sharp in five games - three starts - against the Mets, going 1-2 with a 2.19 ERA and a save while getting just three total runs of support.