Miami @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 23, 2019 ) Miami 8, NY Mets 4

The Miami Marlins pushed the New York Mets to the brink of elimination after doubling up their National League East rivals in the opener of a four-game series at Citi Field. The cellar-dwelling Marlins (55-101) could provide the final shove on Tuesday with a victory over the Mets (81-75) and wins by Washington and Milwaukee.

Jorge Alfaro belted a grand slam and added a solo shot for a career-high five RBIs as Miami snapped an eight-game losing skid at Citi Field with Monday's 8-4 triumph over New York. Rookie Jon Berti is looking to ride the momentum of a career-best four-hit performance versus the Mets, against whom he is 13-for-30 with seven runs scored this season. Amed Rosario launched a grand slam of his own in the series opener to boost his home run total to three in his last six games while extending the franchise record for the most in a season to 232. The 23-year-old is just 1-for-9 in his career against Tuesday starter Sandy Alcantara as the Mets face the uphill climb of attempting to cut into their five-game deficit behind the Brewers.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Sandy Alcantara (5-14, 4.00 ERA) vs. Mets RH Noah Syndergaard (10-8, 4.22)

Alcantara fell to 1-8 in his last 15 outings on Wednesday after allowing five runs on seven hits - including two homers - in 5 2/3 innings of a 5-4 setback at Arizona. The 24-year-old sports a 1-2 record with a 3.51 ERA in four starts versus New York this season. Robinson Cano (3-for-9) and Todd Frazier (3-for-10) have enjoyed success against Alcantara, who owns a 3.76 ERA while limiting the opposition to a .236 batting average on the road this season despite sporting a 2-6 mark.

Syndergaard aims to improve upon his 7-1 mark with a 1.83 ERA in 10 career starts versus the Marlins when he takes the mound on Tuesday. The 27-year-old, who split a pair of decisions against Miami this season, has seen Neil Walker (4-for-11) get his licks in while the rest of the Marlins are a combined 27-for-119 versus him in their career. Syndergaard has yielded at least four runs in four of his last five starts while surrendering seven homers in that stretch.

WALK-OFFS

1. New York 3B J.D. Davis, who had three hits in the series opener, is 15-for-41 versus Miami this season.

2. Marlins INF Starlin Castro is 9-for-21 with seven extra-base hits during a five-game hitting streak.

3. Mets 2B Jeff McNeil is 16-for-49 with four homers and 10 runs scored in the season series against Miami.

PREDICTION: Mets 4, Marlins 3