The Mets return home this weekend to host Miami after a successful road trip in Washington and Atlanta where they won four out of six despite continuing to be plagued by injuries, thanks in no small part to a recent offensive outburst. New York was ahead 3-1 in the fourth inning on Thursday night when their series finale against the Braves was postponed due to rain.
The Marlins, meanwhile, have lost seven of nine since starting the year 10-8. It is already the third time the two clubs will face off, with this series wrapping up 32 straight games against NL East opponents to kick off the Mets’ season.
When and Where
Game 1: Friday @ 7:10 p.m. (TV: SNY; RADIO: 710 WOR, ESPN Deportes)
Game 2: Saturday @ 7:10 p.m. (TV: SNY; RADIO: 710 WOR, ESPN Deportes)
Game 3: Sunday @ 1:10 p.m. (TV: SNY, MLB Network; RADIO: 710 WOR, ESPN Deportes)
Baseball Weather
Friday: Periods of heavy rain throughout the afternoon/evening hours with a high around 65F and winds gusting up to 25 mph. Variably cloudy with scattered thunderstorms at night with a low of 58F.
Saturday: Rain early with decreasing clouds late and a low around 50F. Winds up to 15 mph.
Sunday: Partly cloudy with a slight chance of a rain shower and a high of 61F. Winds between 10 and 20 mph.
Probable Pitching Matchups
Friday: RHP Tom Koehler (1-1, 5.40 ERA, 8.35 DRA, .324 TAv, -0.9 WARP) vs. RHP Rafael Montero (0-2, 9.45 ERA, 9.49 DRA, .428 TAv, -0.3 WARP)
A native of nearby New Rochelle, Koehler has struggled at Citi Field, posting a 1-3 record with a 5.58 ERA in 10 appearances (nine starts). Montero is back once again, this time taking the injured Noah Syndergaard’s rotation spot. The 26-year-old has failed to capitalize on numerous opportunities, and was mostly ineffective in six relief outings last month.
Saturday: LHP Wei-Yin Chen (2-1, 4.33 ERA, 4.53 DRA, .249 TAv, 0.3 WARP) vs. RHP Robert Gsellman (1-2, 6.75 ERA, 7.10 DRA, .354 TAv, -0.5 WARP)
Chen faced the Mets twice in April, earning the victory in New York on April 7 behind six innings of one-run ball, then getting tagged for six runs in three innings a week later in Miami. Although he was credited with the win on Monday in Atlanta, Gsellman continues to struggle and has a 10.00 ERA over his past two starts.
Sunday: TBD vs. RHP Matt Harvey (2-2, 5.14 ERA, 5.44 DRA, .287 TAv, 0.0 WARP)
At a time when the Mets need him the most, Harvey’s control problems have raised more than a few eyebrows throughout the organization. The Dark Knight has looked less like a superhero and more like a middling pitcher unable to find the plate, losing his last two outings while walking eight and hitting a batter in 9.2 innings. Harvey’s uncharacteristic wildness prompted the following analysis from Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez, via Twitter.
The reason why Harvey might be missing location is because it's unusual for him to be so far across his body.
— Pedro Martinez (@45PedroMartinez) May 3, 2017
Harvey is doing a different landing this year with his front leg. He is kicking across his body and he looks uncomfortable.
— Pedro Martinez (@45PedroMartinez) May 3, 2017
Who’s Hot?
Marlins 2B Dee Gordon (7-for-15 with 4 stolen bases in his last four games)
Marlins LF Marcell Ozuna (5-for-15 with 2 HR against Tampa Bay, including a mammoth 468-foot blast off of the Rays’ 2011 Wild Card banner)
Mets IF T.J. Rivera (.391 (9-for-23) in New York’s last two series)
Mets OF Michael Conforto (11-for-23 with 3 HR and 9 RBI since April 29)
Mets 3B Jose Reyes (.370 with 3 HR and 10 RBI over his last seven games)
Who’s Not?
Marlins RF Giancarlo Stanton (batting .118 with no home runs in his last nine games)
Mets OF Curtis Granderson (5 hits in his last 44 at-bats)
When We Last Met
The Marlins won three out of four in Miami a few weeks ago, including two walk-off wins against a scuffling Mets bullpen. New York’s only victory came in the series opener, a 16-inning affair that took more than five and a half hours to complete.
It’s literally a 10-day DL
Mets: C Travis d’Arnaud (sore right wrist) has not played since leaving Tuesday night’s game early. The oft-injured backstop was scheduled to see a doctor on Thursday. “Until the doctor examines him I don’t know what to tell you except there’s a concern because he’s hurt,” manager Terry Collins said earlier in the day. “Two days and he’s still pretty sore today. There’s some swelling there.”
Syndergaard (torn right lat muscle) consulted Dr. Neal ElAttrache for a second opinion and was told that he is dealing with a somewhat simple muscle tear. The hard-throwing ace is still expected to miss at least three months.
Notable Quotables
“He’s a good offensive player. Actually he’s played very, very well at first base. He’s allowed us to get Jay (Bruce) back in the outfield where he’s more comfortable and gone in and done a nice job defensively at first, and he’s a threat with the bat.” – Collins on T.J. Rivera’s recent contributions
“No energy. We’ve got to pick up the pace a little bit in terms of being out there on the field… We just fall short and the pace hasn’t been good. It doesn’t help.” – Stanton on Tuesday night, following the club’s 1-4 homestand
Photo credit: Steve Mitchell – USA Today Sports