It's going to be another long season in Queens this year, and John Maine is one reason why. Back the Braves as road chalk Friday when they take on the Mets.
Kenshin Kawakami comes into tonight's game with a 4.91 ERA, allowing 13 hits and six earned runs in his first two starts this year against Colorado and San Francisco. Kawakami pulled through with a quality outing in his first start of the year against San Francisco. scattering five hits and two earned runs in six innings of work.
Kawakami was lights out against the Mets in 2009. In three starts he allowed only five earned runs yielding a 2.47 ERA. Kenshin rarely gives up the long ball and knows how to effectively work his way out of jams. It is rare you will see him get pounded for a long inning of work, an example he threw an average of 10.5 pitches per inning against San Francisco in the opener.
The main problem the Braves had at times last year was inconsistent play from their bullpen. This year I think they have one of the most overlooked pens in baseball that all bettors need to get familiar with.
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How many times have you watched a lead and a potential winning ticket get burnt in the closing innings of a game due to a shoddy pen?
Billy Wagner has been solid so far as a closer, Pete Moylan is one of the best setup men in the Senior Circuit.
I am also very impressed with Jesse Chavez, Kris Medlen, and Eric O'Flaherty who have all come out of the gates hot. This is a very deep and stable bull pen that is capable of closing games out and cashing bettors tickets.
The Mets send John Maine to the hill to go to work tonight. Maine comes into this game with a 10.38 ERA. He has permitted four home runs already this season, struggling to keep the ball in the park.
Maine has allowed 21 hits and 15 earned runs in 13 innings of work in three starts. Dating back to last year he has only made it past the fifth inning once in his last eight starts.
Maine is an ugly dog that does not cash tickets for bettors, he is 1-6 in his last seven starts installed as an underdog by oddsmakers. The Braves have won 13 of the last 16 meetings coming into tonight and I have no problem laying this price with Kawakami and the Atlanta.
Free Pick: Braves -135