Pitchers duel tonight

Tonight the Mets John Maine will go up against the Nats John Lannan in what should be a great pitchers duel.

John Maine-
Age: 27
Draft: 2002, 6th Round, Baltimore Orioles
Numbers: 4-2, 3.00 ERA, 33/21 K/BB Ratio
Interesting Fact: Maine has won 3 games in a row fallowing a Mets loss.

John Lannan-
Age: 23
Draft: 2005, 11th round, Washington Nationals
Numbers: 3-3, 3.40 ERA, 27/17 K/BB Ratio
Interesting Fact: Allowed 2 or less runs in 5 of 7 starts.

Both Lannan and Maine are smart young pitchers who have made it to the majors despite low expectations. Both were drafted in high rounds and both have low velocity and rely on good accuracy to get batters out. Most importantly, both pitchers have moved themselves into a position where you could argue they have made themselves the teams Ace despite having a bigger name pitcher also in the rotation. Lannan of course has Shawn Hill at the top of his staff, and Maine last year carried the load when Pedro Martinez was hurt, and this year has produced at the same level as rotation star Johan Santana. This should be a fun match up.

Note: In Lannan’s last start in Shea Stadium he allowed only 3 hits in 6 innings while recording a career high 11 strikeouts.