Mets - Marlins Preview
The Mets haven’t won a series on the road since a visit to Miami last season.
The Mets (18-16) open a four-game series following a 3-3 homestand that ended with a 6-4 loss to Washington on Wednesday. New York had the bases loaded and a chance to break the game open in the fifth inning, but Jeff Francoeur’s liner to right field was caught by a diving Roger Bernadina, who later hit a two-run homer off Francisco Rodriguez in the ninth.
“That ruined my day,” said Francoeur, who is batting .132 in 11 games this month. “It’s one of those plays that stick with you until you wake up the next day.”
New York will try to win its first road series since taking two of three from the Marlins (16-18) from Sept. 25-27. While the Mets have a major league-best 14 home wins, they have dropped two of three in each of their first four road series.
New York could open this series on a positive note with Santana (3-2, 4.54 ERA) taking the ball. The veteran left-hander has an 11.12 ERA in two May outings, but he is 6-1 with a 1.66 ERA in eight starts against the Marlins.
Making his fifth opening day start, Santana allowed one run and four hits while striking out five over six innings to beat Florida 7-1 on April 5.
Prior to walking four and giving up four runs in that defeat, Johnson (3-1, 3.35) was 7-0 with a 2.30 ERA in nine starts against New York.
Johnson, who is 4-0 with a 2.14 ERA in five home starts versus the Mets, will try to help the Marlins avoid losing four straight at Sun Life Stadium for the first time since May 20-23.
Florida, which plays 16 of its next 21 at home, ended a 3-3 trip with a 4-3 loss to Chicago on Wednesday. The Marlins had a chance for their first three-game winning streak and series sweep of the season.
“We won the series, which is good, but a sweep would have been nice,” right-hander Chris Volstad said.
Reigning NL batting champ Hanley Ramirez, who is hitting .361 at home, looks to get back on track after going 4 for 23 on the trip. Ramirez had two hits Wednesday but struck out looking with two runners on to end the game.
He is 3 for 18 with seven strikeouts against Santana.
Second baseman Dan Uggla, a career .219 hitter against the Mets, has one hit in 19 at-bats versus the two-time Cy Young Award winner.
Mets left fielder Jason Bay will try to extend his hitting streak to seven, but he is batting .149 in 14 games at Florida. Bay was 4 for 11 as New York dropped two of three to the visiting Marlins last month.
Angel Pagan, who is batting .368 in 20 contests against Florida, has four consecutive two-hit games.
Alex Cora could get his second straight start at second for New York with Luis Castillo nursing a foot injury.
Marlins center fielder Cameron Maybin could return to the starting lineup after sitting out Wednesday with a sore left wrist.
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