The New York Mets hit the road after another dreadful homestand to take on fellow National League bottom feeder, Miami Marlins. These are two worst teams in the NL and come into this weekend’s series with 32 wins each. Both teams come from different directions, the Mets were build to make a postseason run and the Marlins are in total rebuild mode. The Mets have the upper hand in this season’s series, taking four of the six games.
Probable Pitching Matcups:
(6/29, 7:10 PM) Corey Oswalt (0-0, 3.86 ERA) vs. Sandy Alcantra (First Start of the Season)
(6/30, 4:10 PM) Jacob deGrom (5-3, 1.69 ERA) vs. TBD
(6/31, 1:10 PM) Steven Matz (3-5, 3.69 ERA) vs. Dan Straily (3-3, 4.82 ERA)
deGrom is Pushed Back
Jacob deGrom was originally slated to take the mound Friday night, but a family issue arose which pushed his start back to Saturday. Corey Oswalt will make the start in his place, Gerson Bautista was optioned to Triple-A to make room for Oswalt. In his only start this season, he gave the Mets 4.2 innings and allowed two runs while striking out four batters. With Seth Lugo back in the Mets bullpen, Oswalt has an opportunity to stay in the rotation if he shows that he is major league ready.
Wilmer Flores has been one of the Mets hottest hitters since he returned from the disabled list. He is hitting .286 with three home runs and a .571 slugging percentage in his return to the lineup. As Dom Smith has failed to find any consistency at the plate, it created an opportunity for Flores to take his job. Peter Alonso is also scratching at the door to enter the big leagues with could take Smith out of Mets first base picture.
Trust the Process in Miami?
It was obvious that the Marlins were going to tank with Derek Jeter at the helm. The have not been .500 at any point this season and have held last place in the NL East firmly. J.T. Realmuto has been their lone bright spot and will likely be their lone all-star this season. Realmuto has batted .308 with 10 home runs and 36 RBIs after missing time early in the season due to an injury.
Derek Dietrich has been one of only the surprises for the Marlins this season. He is top-20 in the NL with 82 hits and has been hit with 10 pitches this season. Brian Anderson has shown he can be part of the Marlin’s future plans. He has a .293 average and is fourth in the NL with 92 hits. Anderson has the ability to play third base and the corner outfield positions and is a dark horse to be an all-star as well.
Matchups to Lookout For
Derek Dietrich vs. Jacob deGrom: 4-21 (.191) Walk, 11 Strikeouts
Justin Bour vs. Jacob deGrom: 8-19 (.421) Double, 2 Home Runs, 2 Walks, 6 Strikeouts
Asdrubal Cabrera vs. Dan Straily: 3-11 (.273) 2 Doubles, Walk, 2 Strikeouts
Jose Reyes vs. Dan Straily: 2-11 (.182) 4 Walks, 2 Strikeouts
Interesting Stats
Wilmer Flores in Late & Close Situations in 2018: 11-27 (.407) Double, 3 Home Runs, 3 Walks, 2 Strikeouts
Starlin Castro Leading Off an Inning in 2018: 25-74 (.338) 4 Doubles, 2 Home Runs, 4 Walks, 12 Strikeouts