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Mets-Braves Preview

May 4, 2009 - 2:19 AM By MIKE LIPKA STATS Writer

New York (10-13) at Atlanta (11-12), 7:10 p.m. EDT

The New York Mets ended the Atlanta Braves' run of 14 straight NL East titles in 2006, and the Mets nearly won the division each of the last two years.

Heading into their first meeting of 2009, though, neither team looks capable of rising to the top of the NL East this season.

New York hopes John Maine can build on his strongest outing of the season when it opens a two-game set Monday night in Atlanta, where the Mets went 1-8 last year.

Both teams have dropped three of their last four games and neither has developed any consistency so far.

The Braves' biggest problem has been offense, as they've averaged 3.3 runs while losing 12 of 18 to negate a strong first week.

Atlanta (11-13) was 3-for-14 with men in scoring position in Sunday's 7-5 loss to Houston, stranding 11 to lose the decisive game of a second straight series. The Braves are playing without catcher Brian McCann and outfielder Garret Anderson, both of whom are expected to return from the disabled list later this week.

"They're our big thumpers. That's a lot to overcome," manager Bobby Cox said.

Cox's team may have a good chance to get back on track Monday, as New York (10-13) has dropped seven of its last nine on the road. Rain caused the decisive finale of the Mets' series at Philadelphia to be postponed Sunday, a day after they lost 6-5 in 10 innings.

Oliver Perez turned in another disastrous start in Saturday's defeat as concerns about New York's rotation continued to grow.

The Mets, though, are feeling better about Maine (1-2, 5.40 ERA) following his latest start. After posting a 9.28 ERA in his previous two appearances, the right-hander gave up one hit and one unearned run in six innings of last Monday's 7-1 victory over Florida.

"I think my first few starts I was really rushing myself," Maine said. "For some reason, I just get a little too excited out there."

Maine will be working on six days' rest after being pushed back from Sunday.

Even more time has passed since Carlos Delgado appeared in the starting lineup, as the first baseman has been dealing with a hip injury. He appears ready to return, not a good sign for the Braves considering he hit .379 with four home runs and 15 RBIs in 18 games against them last year.

The Mets, though, finished 7-11 versus the Braves after managing one win in nine games at Turner Field in 2008. New York, outscored 52-32 in those road contests, are 29-63 at Atlanta since the beginning of the 1998 season.

Although Delgado is 4-for-24 against Braves starter Javier Vazquez (2-2, 3.38), he has three homers versus the right-hander.

Vazquez has been sharp in the first month with his new club, striking out 42 in 32 innings. He threw eight efficient innings Wednesday against St. Louis, but allowed six singles - some of them softly hit - during a four-run fifth inning in a 5-3 loss.

"He pitched great," Cox said. "I don't know if he can pitch any better."

The Braves can certainly play better. They led 3-1 on Sunday before starter Jo-Jo Reyes and the bullpen ran into trouble.

Atlanta's relievers, who pitched seven innings Saturday due to a rain delay, have given up seven runs over the last two games. They allowed two runs in 23 innings during the previous 10 contests.

The Braves also aren't getting the usual production from third baseman Chipper Jones, who's been held without an RBI in the last seven games.