Miami @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 12, 2018 ) NY Mets 4, Miami 3

September hasn't always provided fond memories for the New York Mets, however the club with nothing to lose has won six of eight since flipping the calendar this time around. The Mets (65-77) look to continue their good fortune on Monday as Jacob deGrom aims to strengthen his National League Cy Young candidacy in the opener a four-game series against the visiting Miami Marlins (56-86).

New York rookie Jeff McNeil collected his second consecutive three-hit performance and fifth overall in Sunday's 6-4 win over free-falling Philadelphia. The 26-year-old has hit safely in 21 of his last 22 starts, but wasn't as fortunate when he labored to a 1-for-11 effort against Miami on Aug. 10-12. Mother Nature put a temporary halt to the Marlins' woes, as the team had dropped eight of 11 before being rained out in Pittsburgh on Sunday. Starlin Castro has hit safely in seven of his last nine contests overall and is batting a robust 7-for-18 in his career versus deGrom.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Jeff Brigham (0-1, 9.00 ERA) vs. Mets RH Jacob deGrom (8-8, 1.68)

Mother Nature forced Brigham to wait another day before making his second career start with Miami. The 26-year-old allowed three runs, four hits and four walks while striking out two in three innings of a 6-1 loss to Toronto on Sept. 2. Brigham posted a 10-3 mark with a 2.36 ERA in 17 starts over three minor-league levels this season, including 5-2 with a 3.44 in nine turns with Triple-A New Orleans.

DeGrom, who has held foes to three runs or fewer in 25 consecutive starts, will have an extra day of rest after being scratched due to expected bad weather in the series finale against the Phillies. The 30-year-old owns an 0.93 ERA in his last four starts, a stretch that began with a complete-game win at Philadelphia on Aug. 18 in which he allowed one unearned run. DeGrom received another hard-luck no-decision at the Los Angeles Dodgers last Monday, giving up a run and two hits over six innings of a game the Mets would win 4-2.

WALK-OFFS

1. New York OF Michael Conforto has eight hits - including four homers - and 10 RBIs in his last seven outings.

2. Miami C J.T. Realmuto has scored eight times while hitting safely in nine of his last 10 games.

3. Mets CF Brandon Nimmo, who has scored five times in his last six games overall, is just 3-for-33 with 10 strikeouts versus the Marlins this season.

PREDICTION: Mets 2, Marlins 1