Miami @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 7, 2019 ) Miami 2, NY Mets 7

The New York Mets have virtually no margin for error entering the final homestand of the season Monday against the Miami Marlins. Despite a 6-3 win Sunday in Cincinnati to cap a 4-2 road trip, the Mets enter their final seven contests with a 4 1/2-game deficit in the race for the second wild card in the National League.

New York is 11-4 against the last-place Marlins and will try to keep it a one-sided season series behind lefty Steven Matz, who gets the ball for the series opener. Michael Conforto's three-run homer was the catalyst for New York on Sunday as it hammered three home runs to push the franchise record to 231. That's nearly 100 more than the Marlins have hit, although Miami got a big one from Austin Dean to ignite a four-run seventh inning in Sunday's 5-3 win over Washington, one of the wild-card leaders the Mets hope to track down. Caleb Smith will start Monday for the Marlins as he makes his first attempt at win No. 10 on the year.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins LH Caleb Smith (9-10, 4.24 ERA) vs. Mets LH Steven Matz (10-9, 4.16)

Smith had lost four straight decisions before getting a victory at Arizona on Tuesday with five innings of four-run ball. He defeated the Mets at home on July 12, allowing two runs and three hits across six solid innings. The Texas native is 2-0 with a 3.18 ERA in four career starts versus New York.

Matz followed up six scoreless innings and a win against Arizona on Sept. 11 with a rocky outing at Coors Field last Monday. The Colorado Rockies got to him for seven runs over four innings in that outing, which left Matz with a 6.62 ERA in 15 road starts. The 28-year-old owns a 2.83 ERA in 11 career starts against the Marlins.

WALK-OFFS

1. Mets 2B Robinson Cano left Sunday's game after being hit with a pitch on his left foot, but X-rays were negative.

2. New York OF Brandon Nimmo has three home runs over his last six games.

3. Marlins INF Starlin Castro is 8-for-16 with seven extra-base hits during a four-game hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Mets 6, Marlins 4