meet the Mets

The Astros lost yesterday's game by an 8-3 score, and Craig Biggio struck out rather than get hit by a pitch in his only at-bat of the game. Once again, the Astros left Biggio out of the starting lineup in a day game, even though they must know he gets hit by pitches 36% more often per plate appearance in day games, and that the Astros win more often when Biggio gets hit by a pitch.

Today the Mets visit Houston, and John Maine will pitch. Maine has never hit Craig Biggio with a pitch, nor has any other US State. Portugal did once. But John Maine never has either. John Maine hasn't hit anyone this year, and has only struck 3 batters with his 3,992 career pitches. He should reach 4,000 pitches tonight, unless something goes wrong very quickly.
Biggio has been plunked twice on July 5th - by Robert Ellis in 2001 and by Jeff Suppan in 2003.

Tomorrow, Mike Pelfrey is expected to start for the Mets. He's never hit Craig Biggio with a pitch either, but the two haven't faced each other in a game yet. Pelfery has hit 4 batters in seven starts this year, but Biggio has never been hit by a pitch on July 6th.