Miami @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 24, 2019 ) Miami 4, NY Mets 5

The New York Mets were three outs away from being mathematically eliminated from postseason contention before Michael Conforto recorded his sixth career multi-homer performance to ignite a late rally. Jacob deGrom will look to keep his team's flicking playoff hopes alive and bolster his bid for a second straight Cy Young Award when the Mets (82-75) host the Miami Marlins (55-102) on Wednesday.

Conforto belted a two-run homer in both the seventh and ninth innings on Tuesday before Brandon Nimmo drew a bases-loaded walk in the 11th as New York posted a 5-4 win over Miami to remain five games in back of Milwaukee for the second wild-card spot with five to play. "We're gonna keep on fighting. As long as there's a chance, we're gonna keep on going. We've seen in a five-game stretch that anything is possible, and that's where we're at," Mets manager Mickey Callaway said. Miami's Jon Berti improved to 7-for-10 with three runs scored in the series after collecting three singles to go along with a franchise-best four stolen bases on Tuesday. The 29-year-old is 16-for-35 with a homer in the season set versus the Mets and 5-for-9 with three doubles in his career against deGrom.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Robert Dugger (0-3, 4.45 ERA) vs. Mets RH Jacob deGrom (10-8, 2.51)

Dugger will look to avenge the worst outing of his brief career when he faces New York, against which he allowed six runs and four walks to take the loss in his major league debut on Aug. 5. Amed Rosario and Jeff McNeil each belted a solo homer off the 24-year-old, who also was taken deep on two occasions on Friday en route to permitting four runs in five frames of a 6-4 setback versus Washington. Dugger has struggled in three starts away from Marlins Park, recording a 5.19 ERA while allowing the opposition to bat .266 against him as opposed to a 3.60 ERA and .179 average at home.

DeGrom enters his last start on a roll, scattering seven hits and striking out 17 batters over 14 scoreless innings in his last two outings. The 31-year-old leads the NL in strikeouts (248) and WHIP (0.99) while his ERA (2.51) is second only to Los Angeles' Hyun-Jin Ryu (2.41). DeGrom improved to 8-7 with a 3.44 ERA in 21 career encounters with Miami after posting a 4-1 mark in five appearances this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Conforto has recorded a pair of multi-homer performances against Miami this season.

2. Marlins C Jorge Alfaro is 3-for-8 with two homers and six RBIs in the series.

3. McNeil has 11 hits -- including three homers -- to go along with five RBIs and six runs scored in his last eight games.

PREDICTION: Mets 3, Marlins 1