The Mets and Astros play game two of their four game set tonight at Shea Stadium. John Maine will make hie third start off the DL for the Mets, and Brandon Backe will look for his eighth win for the Astros. Gametime is slated for 7:10 EST and the game can be seen on SNY.

Keys to the Game:

• Hold Down Berkman: Astros 1B Lance Berkman has been a stabilizing force in the Astros for all of this year. With Carlos Lee now down for the year, Berkman is the one bat in the Astro lineup that you can’t let beat you.
• Need A Solid Six From Maine: In his first two starts off the DL, Maine has gone five innings in each game. In game one, Brian Stokes was successful in relieving Maine, throwing four shutout innings. The second time, not so much. Stokes allowed a game tieing homer to Adam LaRoche, and it was the only game the Mets have lost in their last 11. If Maine can give us a good six, than we can go to Smith/Feliciano in the 7th, Sanchez in the 8th, and Ayala in the 9th.

For a lineup, head to Adam Rubin’s blog for the Daily News.

For in-game chat, banter, and discussion, head on over to The Hot Foot Bleachers.