New York @ Florida preview
Sun Life Stadium
Last Meeting ( Aug 26, 2010 ) Florida 11, NY Mets 4
The Florida Marlins and New York Mets aren't competing for a playoff spot, but they're still fighting one another for third place in the NL East.
Both teams will have a shot at taking the edge in that race when they open a three-game series on Tuesday at Sun Life Stadium.
Florida enters the series a half-game ahead of New York in the division after a 4-0 win in a make-up game against the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday. The Marlins wouldn't be in that position without their strong play against the Mets - they've won 10 of 16 meetings this season, including six of seven at home.
Florida swept New York in a four-game home series from May 13-16, and it took two of three in the Sunshine State on June 28-30.
The Mets won't have to worry about facing two of Florida's top pitchers this time around, as Josh Johnson and Ricky Nolasco have been shut down for the season because of injuries.
Instead, they'll get their first look at 28-year-old right-hander Adalberto Mendez, who will make his third major league start, but his first against anyone other than the NL East-leading Philadelphia Phillies.
Mendez (1-1, 1.74 ERA) dazzled the Phillies for six scoreless innings in his debut Sept. 6, but he was less effective in his second outing, allowing two runs and four hits and walking five over 4 1/3 innings.
Mendez isn't the only rookie the Marlins are counting on down the stretch.
Rookie catcher Brad Davis hit a grand slam off Chris Carpenter to help the Marlins snap a six-game losing streak with Monday's win over St. Louis. In addition, rookie outfielders Logan Morrison and Mike Stanton have become fixtures in Florida's lineup.
Morrison has hit safely in 16 of 18 games this month and is hitting .353 with 15 walks in September. Stanton has cooled off since a hot stretch earlier this month, going 2-for-10 without an extra-base hit in his past five games.
Florida's youthful lineup will take its swings against 26-year-old right-hander Mike Pelfrey, who looks to add to his career-high 15 victories.
Pelfrey (15-9, 3.84 ERA) has won his last two starts, allowing only two runs in seven-plus innings in each outing, but he'll have to buck a couple of trends to extend that streak on Tuesday. He has struggled on the road this year and the Marlins have given him fits throughout his career.
In 14 road outings this year, Pelfrey is 5-6 with a 5.30 ERA. He has lost five of his last six decisions on the road.
That's compounded with the fact that he's 1-6 with a 5.79 ERA in 11 starts against the Marlins. In his only start against Florida this season, Pelfrey allowed four runs and 12 hits over 4 2/3 innings, but didn't factor in the decision in a 6-5 win.
Florida stars Hanley Ramirez and Dan Uggla have been at the center of Pelfrey's troubles with the Marlins. Ramirez is 9-for-29 (.310) with a home run against Pelfrey, and Uggla is 11-for-26 (.423) with 10 RBIs at his expense.
Pelfrey might not have to face Ramirez, who has missed the last four games with an injured left elbow but hopes to return either Tuesday or Wednesday. Ramirez is 15-for-67 (.358) with three homers and 14 RBIs in 16 games against the Mets this season.