New York @ Miami preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 30, 2013 ) NY Mets 4, Miami 2

After taking tight games the past two nights, the New York Mets look to make it three straight when they continue a four-game road series with the Miami Marlins on Wednesday. John Buck's two-run single in the 10th inning lifted the Mets to a 4-2 win Tuesday, and they're in search of their third straight win against Miami after losing the previous five meetings. The Marlins are in danger of losing three straight at home for the first time since a four-game home skid in late May.

The Marlins have played two games under the tutelage of interim hitting coach John Pierson, who took over when Tino Martinez resigned amid complaints that he was abusive to players. They've managed 10 hits in the past two games and were hitless until the seventh Tuesday against Zack Wheeler. The Mets have scored 11 runs in the series after managing just one run in each contest of a three-game skid.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), FSN Florida (Miami)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Jenrry Mejia (1-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Henderson Alvarez (1-1, 2.64)

The 23-year-old Mejia impressed in his first big-league action of the season, shutting out Washington for seven innings while scattering seven hits and striking out seven without a walk. Mejia, who underwent Tommy John surgery in 2011, spent parts of the 2010 and 2012 seasons in the majors but did most of his work out of the bullpen. He has made five relief appearances against Miami and has a 3.86 ERA in 4 2/3 innings without a decision.

Alvarez has been outstanding in his last two starts, racking up 13 scoreless innings while allowing only seven hits and two walks. The 23-year-old from Venezuela earned his first win with the Marlins on Friday, holding Pittsburgh to two hits over six shutout frames. The Mets knocked around Alvarez in the only previous meeting, tagging him for six runs over five innings in a start last year while he was with Toronto.

WALK-OFFS

1. Mets CF Juan Lagares is hitting .415 with seven extra-base hits and nine RBIs over his past 13 games, and he has six multi-hit games over that span.

2. Miami's starting pitchers have allowed three or fewer runs in 32 of the past 37 games.

3. New York 2B Daniel Murphy has hit safely in 19 of his last 21 games.

PREDICTION: Mets 4, Marlins 3