Miami @ New York preview
Citi Field
Last Meeting ( Sep 14, 2013 ) Miami 1, NY Mets 3
Tom Koehler will enjoy a homecoming on Sunday as the Miami Marlins right-hander takes the mound in the finale of a four-game set against the host New York Mets. Koehler, who was born in the Bronx and pitched collegiately at Stony Brook, hopes some home cooking will help him snap a four-game losing streak. New York suffered a 3-0 setback in the opener of Saturday's doubleheader to clinch its fifth consecutive losing season before posting a 3-1 triumph in the nightcap.
Daniel Murphy and Lucas Duda belted back-to-back homers to lead off the third inning of the nightcap. The blasts gave the Mets four homers in their last three contests - which is quite the accomplishment, considering they were outslugged 13-0 in that department during a four-game sweep by Washington in the previous series. Miami owns an 11-7 edge in the season series heading to Sunday's finale.
TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, FSN Florida (Miami), WPIX (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Tom Koehler (3-10, 4.80 ERA) vs. Mets RH Dillon Gee (11-10, 3.61 ERA)
Koehler's winless stretch reached seven outings on Tuesday after allowing four runs on five hits in a setback to Atlanta. The 27-year-old hasn't won since scattering five hits over six solid innings in a 3-0 triumph over the Mets. Koehler owns a 1-1 record with a 3.18 ERA versus New York.
Gee saw his modest two-start winning streak come to an end on Tuesday, when he allowed two homers for the third time in four starts in a setback versus the Nationals. The 27-year-old permitted four runs on nine hits over 6 1/3 innings in the loss. Gee is 2-0 lifetime against Miami despite posting a 1.81 WHIP while allowing a .333 batting average.
WALK-OFFS
1. Duda, who has hits in four straight games, has belted two homers in as many nights and three since returning from the minors last month.
2. Miami OF Justin Ruggiano went deep in the nightcap but is just 2-for-20 in his last six contests.
3. New York 3B David Wright is focusing on a return to action Tuesday against San Francisco. Wright has been sidelined for six weeks with a strained right hamstring.
PREDICTION: Mets 5, Marlins 3