Local kid John Maine (Fredericksburg. Va.) starts for the Mets. He has struggled so far in 2010 with a 1-3 record and a 6.13 ERA. But he also has eight wins in 14 games career starts vs. the Nats with a 4.11 ERA. David Wright is back in the lineup for New York, batting fifth. Adam Dunn remains in the lineup for the Nats. Cristian Guzman sits at second base in favor of Adam Kennedy – a platoon situation Jim Riggleman discussed before the game.

“You have take into consideration how it’s affecting that player’s psyche a little bit. But as I’ve said many times – Guzman and Kennedy have just been outstanding. They’re the ones who have gotten the short end of it more often than not….There are veteran players who are not always as accommodating. And these veteran players have just been outstanding. I think it has as much to do with the attitude of our ballclub as anything. There are days when Kennedy and Guzman have looked at that lineup and probably thought ‘I’m surprised Jim doesn’t have me in there.'”

Guzman is third in at-bats on the Nats (128) to Nyjer Morgan (150) and Adam Dunn (133) anyway so he’s had his chances. Part of that, according to Riggleman, is because when he does play Guzman usually bats second in the order. He also doesn’t walk much. Kennedy is eighth in at-bats with 106. Here are tonight’s lineups:

Mets:

Reyes – SS
Cora – 2B
Bay – LF

Davis – 1B

Wright – 3B
Pagan – CF

Barajas – C
Francoeur – RF
Maine – P

Nationals:

Morgan – CF

Kennedy – 2B

Zimmerman – 3B

Dunn – 1B

Willingham – LF

Rodriguez – C

Bernadina – RF

Desmond – SS

Atilano – P