Florida @ New York preview
Citi Field
Last Meeting ( May 16, 2010 ) NY Mets 8, Florida 10
The season series between the New York Mets and the Florida Marlins has been a fairly one-sided affair thus far in 2010. The Mets hope that they put an end to that on Friday.
Prior to their 4-3 win in the series opener, the Mets had dropped six of their first seven meetings, including the last six in a row, to Florida.
The Marlins hope that the losing doesn’t become a trend as the two teams do battle in Saturday’s second meeting of the three-game set.
The Mets were victorious thanks to upstart veteran R.A. Dickey, who improved to 3-0 since joining the rotation with 6 1/3 solid innings to help New York to its 16th win in the previous 20 games at Citi Field.
Dickey also helped his cause with an RBI in the victory. Jon Niese is slated to take the ball for Mets on Saturday in his first start since being activated from the disabled list. He has been on the DL since May 17 with a right hamstring strain.
In his last rehab start in the minors, Niese allowed a pair of runs over six innings.
Niese, who owns a 4.79 ERA, will be looking for his second win of the campaign as he faces the Marlins for the third time in 2010. In two prior starts, he has surrendered five earned runs on 12 hits in two losses, including his last start on May 16 in which he lasted two innings and later went on the DL.
The Marlins will counter with left-hander Nate Robertson as he aims to snap a three-game winless streak. For the season, he is 4-4 with a 4.30 ERA through 11 starts.
Robertson has a pair of no-decision in his previous two outings, but has been successful in two starts against the Mets this year. He has allowed just two earned runs in 10 2/3 innings in getting two victories when facing the division counterparts.
The Mets have been busy of late with roster moves, most recently placing second baseman Luis Castillo on the disabled list with a foot injury. In his place, the club called up 20-year-old Ruben Tejada.
Tejada responded positively in his first start on Friday, doubling and later driving in his first career run on the decisive fielder’s choice in the sixth inning.
New York closer Francisco Rodriguez regrouped from just his second blown save of the campaign to close the door in the win for his 11th save.