After a difficult week, the Miami Marlins will look for better results during a three-game series against the New York Mets.
Coming off series losses to the Pittsburgh Pirates and Tampa Bay Rays, the Marlins are reeling. Miami still finds itself in second place in the division, but is already 6.5 games back of first place.
The Marlins are 3-7 in their last ten games overall, but they have some reason for optimism entering this series. On the season, Miami is 5-2 against the Mets with a pair of those wins coming in Queens. The Mets are considered playoff contenders, but have struggled out of the gate. New York is also currently dealing with a couple of key injuries.
The Mets will be without the services of Yoenis Cespedes and Noah Syndergaard in this series and both players could be out for a long time. Both Syndergaard and Cespedes have dominated the Marlins at times in the past. Without the stars, New York has had to turn to the minor leagues for depth.
Another reason for potential Miami optimism, is the fact these games are coming at Citi Field. The Mets are 4-10 at home this season, which is the worst home mark in all of baseball. The Marlins meanwhile are a respectable 7-9 when playing outside of Miami.
The Marlins will send Tom Koehler to the mound in the season opener. Saturday's starter has not been announced yet, but it could be Odrisamer Despaigne who was recalled from AAA. Jose Urena will start the finale on Sunday, in place of the injured Edinson Volquez.
New York will counter with Rafael Montero, Robert Gsellman and Matt Harvey in the series. Miami should have the opportunity to post big offensive numbers, especially in the opening game of the series. Montero enters the contest with an E.R.A of 9.45 this season. This will be the right-hander's first start of the year, after working out of the bullpen earlier this season.
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The series will begin on Friday evening at 7:10 p.m.
