A three-game series in the NL East concludes early on Sunday afternoon as the Miami Marlins (45-77, 5th NL East) face off against the New York Mets (63-59, 3rd NL East). The Mets took the first game of the series on Friday with a 7-3 victory. Saturday’s matchup occurred prior to this article being published. Currently, the Mets lead the season series against the Marlins, 6-5. Miami will send Vallente Bellozo (2.28 ERA) to the mound, while New York counters with Paul Blackburn (4.43 ERA). The first pitch is slated for 12:05 EST at Citi Field in Queens.
Marlins Aim to Escape Last Place
The Miami Marlins are on track to finish at the bottom of the NL East standings, trailing the Nationals by 9.5 games for fourth place. They are also just half a game ahead of the struggling Rockies, making it crucial for them to avoid the last position in the National League. Although they are unlikely to secure the worst record in Major League Baseball, the Chicago White Sox seem poised to challenge that dubious honor, potentially eclipsing the 2003 Tigers, who won only 43 games. In Friday’s game against the Mets, Jake Burger hit a home run in the fifth inning, but Miami ultimately fell short, losing 7-3.
Jake Burger has been a bright spot for the Marlins since the trade deadline, emerging as a key player for the team. Over his last eight games, he has hit seven home runs and boasts a batting average of .438. Marlins manager Skip Schumaker remarked, “Burger’s on a heater. Just an incredible run that he’s on.” Burger now leads the team with 24 home runs and 55 RBIs, also holding the highest batting average among qualified hitters at .253. He occupied the second spot in the batting order while playing first base on Friday.
Derek Hill contributed with an RBI-double in the game. Recently called up after the trade deadline, he bats fifth and has reached base in four of his last five games. Meanwhile, Xavier Edwards continues to impress from the top of the lineup, sporting a .358 batting average since securing a starting role and hitting in six of his last seven games.
For this matchup, Vallente Bellozo, a 24-year-old rookie, will make his sixth start of the season. He has a 2-1 record, and Miami has won in both of his last two outings. Bellozo’s impressive 2.28 ERA is complemented by 23 strikeouts against six walks, having surrendered two home runs thus far. In his most recent performance, he pitched seven scoreless innings against the Phillies, leading to a win.
Mets Seek Wild Card Position
The New York Mets are in the midst of a competitive battle for a postseason spot, sitting nine games behind the Phillies in the division. They are more likely to secure a Wild Card spot than the divisional title. With Arizona and San Diego holding a solid 4.5-game lead in the Wild Card race, the Mets find themselves a game behind the Braves for the final postseason spot. Their recent 7-3 victory over the Marlins bolstered their chances, thanks in large part to Brandon Nimmo’s three-run home run.
Nimmo has been working to regain his form after a recent slump. Following the game, he expressed his relief, stating, “I’m not doing very well, and obviously, the worse you do, the less comfortable you feel. But today’s a step in the right direction.” Batting third in the lineup as the left fielder, Nimmo has 17 home runs, and despite his struggles, he remains tied for the team lead in RBIs with 70. He shares this distinction with Francisco Lindor, who also has 70 RBIs along with 23 home runs and the best batting average on the team at .263.
Pete Alonso, who leads the team with 26 home runs, was recently moved to the fifth spot in the batting order, but he has not recorded a hit in his last seven at-bats.
Paul Blackburn will be making his fourth start since joining the Mets after being acquired from the Athletics near the trade deadline. The Mets are 2-1 in his three starts, featuring two narrow victories against the Rockies and Angels. However, his last outing against the Athletics was less favorable, as they scored six runs off him in four innings. Blackburn holds a 5-3 record this season with a 4.43 ERA.
Key Predictions for Miami Marlins vs. New York Mets
The Mets enter this game as the stronger team, especially playing at home, with significant motivation to secure a victory. Given that Blackburn has already faced the Marlins once this season—while still with Oakland—and secured a win, there is strong reason to believe he can replicate that success. He pitched seven innings against Miami earlier in the season, allowing just four hits and one earned run, resulting in a 1.29 ERA. With the offensive support he has now, Blackburn is expected to limit the Marlins’ scoring opportunities while the Mets capitalize on their offensive strengths.
Brandon Nimmo’s recent home run is a positive sign for the Mets, potentially marking the end of his slump. On the other hand, Bellozo’s rookie status might pose challenges for him on the mound, as he has shown limited strikeout ability in recent outings. The Mets sit just a game out of the final Wild Card position, making this matchup against a weaker team crucial for their playoff aspirations. Another victory over the Marlins could significantly bolster their postseason hopes.
