Miami @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 28, 2018 ) Miami 8, NY Mets 1

The New York Mets say goodbye to one of the most beloved players in franchise history on Saturday as David Wright makes the final appearance of his career in the middle contest of the team's season-ending three-game series against the visiting Miami Marlins. A seven-time All-Star, the 35-year-old Wright will start at third base and receive two at-bats from the third spot in the batting order before heading into retirement.

Wright appeared in his first game since May 27, 2016 on Friday, grounding out on the first pitch he saw as a pinch-hitter in the fifth inning of New York's 8-1 loss. The team captain, who had been sidelined due to back, neck and shoulder surgeries, is the Mets' all-time leader in a plethora of categories - including hits (1,777), runs (949), walks (761), total bases (2,945) and RBIs (970). Miami began its season-ending six-game road trip by being outscored 25-10 during a three-game sweep in Washington but used a 13-hit attack on Friday to halt the slide. Miguel Rojas led the way with a double, three singles and an RBI for the Marlins, who lost three of four at home to the Mets earlier this month and are 7-10 in the season series.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Trevor Richards (4-9, 4.66 ERA) vs. Mets LH Steven Matz (5-11, 4.14)

Richards looks to finish his rookie season with another strong outing after scattering three hits and registering nine strikeouts over seven scoreless innings in a win against Cincinnati on Sunday. The 25-year-old native of Illinois has not fared well on the road, however, going 1-5 with a 5.37 ERA in 12 turns - with the lone victory coming on June 23 at Colorado. Richards lost his only previous start against the Mets as he surrendered six runs - four earned - and seven hits over five frames on Sept. 12 in New York.

Matz hopes to avoid ending the year with a 10-start winless streak after his fifth straight no-decision on Sunday at Washington - in which he yielded three runs on five hits and three walks over three innings - kept him without a victory since July 26 at Pittsburgh. The 27-year-old New Yorker has allowed more than three runs only twice during his nine-start drought but has issued eight walks over as many frames in his last two turns. Matz, who is just 1-6 in 14 outings at home this year but sports a better ERA at Citi Field (3.86) than on the road (4.46), is 3-2 with a 3.26 ERA in seven career starts against Miami - including a 1-0 record and 2.31 ERA in two meetings this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. In addition to Wright, Mets INF Jose Reyes is slated to be in Saturday's starting lineup for what likely will be the final time with the club.

2. Miami 1B Peter O'Brien has recorded three two-hit performances in his last four games and registered three RBIs in as many contests.

3. New York announced prior to Friday's opener that RHPs Robert Gsellman (80 innings pitched) and Seth Lugo (101 1/3) would not appear in the series for precautionary reasons.

PREDICTION: Mets 7, Marlins 4