On Saturday afternoon, a spirited clash in the NL East unfolds as the Miami Marlins (45-76, 5th NL East) face off against the New York Mets (62-59, 3rd NL East). The opening match of this three-game series took place on Friday night (Note: This article was published prior to Friday’s results). Currently, the season series between these two rivals stands at a draw, with each team securing five wins. The Marlins are set to start Max Meyer (5.20 ERA), while the Mets will counter with Luis Severino (4.17 ERA). Fans can expect the first pitch at 4:10 PM EST from Citi Field in Queens.
Marlins Show Resilience Against Phillies
The Miami Marlins recently competed in a brief two-game series against the leading Philadelphia Phillies, managing to win the first game before falling short in the second. Miami has shown they can hold their own against division foes, trailing Philadelphia by just one win in their season series at 5-4 and maintaining a deadlock with the Mets at 5-5. Despite their efforts, the Marlins remain 26 games behind first place in the NL East, sitting with the third worst record in Major League Baseball, narrowly avoiding the last position ahead of the Rockies and White Sox. In their latest matchup against Philadelphia, Jonah Bride launched a three-run homer in the first inning but the Marlins ultimately lost 9-5.
The Marlins have made necessary adjustments following the trade deadline and are witnessing a surge in performance from three key players. Jake Burger, Jesus Sanchez, and Xavier Edwards have stepped into significant roles. Burger leads the squad with 23 homers and 54 RBIs, hitting four home runs in his last five games while batting second as the designated hitter against the Phillies. Sanchez, positioned third as a right fielder, has also made an impact, homering in two of his last three games to bring his season total to 15. Edwards, the leadoff hitter from shortstop, is batting an impressive .321 in August and has hit in each of his last four games.
Max Meyer will take the mound for his eighth start of the season. At 25 years old, the right-hander holds a 3-2 record, and the team has matched that success in his last five appearances. His ERA stands at 5.20, with 30 strikeouts and nine walks, having allowed seven home runs throughout the year. In his previous outing, Meyer pitched six innings, surrendering four earned runs in a victory over the Padres.
Mets Face Challenges Against AL West Opponents
The New York Mets are currently in the thick of the playoff race, vying for a Wild Card spot in a competitive National League. However, their recent performance has been disappointing, as they dropped five of six games against the Seattle Mariners and the Oakland Athletics. With the AL West seemingly limited to one playoff slot, these losses have been particularly costly for the Mets. They were swept in Seattle before returning home to lose two out of three against the Athletics. In their latest game, Mark Vientos contributed two hits and three RBIs, but the Mets fell 7-6.
In that game, the Mets issued 11 walks, prompting manager Carlos Mendoza to emphasize the need for quick adjustments: “It’s hard to win a baseball game when we give up (11) walks.” Vientos has been a bright spot for the Mets, batting second in the lineup, and he now has 19 home runs and 48 RBIs this season. The 24-year-old has consistently performed against the Athletics, maintaining a .275 batting average. The Mets retained their star players at the trade deadline, looking to capitalize on their playoff push, with Pete Alonso leading the roster with 26 homers and Francisco Lindor driving in 69 runs. Both players are under pressure to guide the team toward a significant playoff run.
Luis Severino will make his 24th start of the season, establishing himself as the most reliable pitcher for the Mets, having logged the most innings on the team. The 30-year-old right-hander holds a 7-6 record but has faced struggles recently, with the team losing his last three starts. His ERA is currently 4.17, with 109 strikeouts and 46 walks, having allowed 17 home runs throughout the season. In his last appearance, Severino pitched five innings, giving up four earned runs in a loss to the Mariners.
Smart Bets for Miami Marlins vs. New York Mets
The Miami Marlins have shown they can compete against their toughest rivals in the NL East, holding a record of four wins and five losses against the Phillies and currently tied with the Mets at 5-5 in their season series. Miami has won two of their last three games, including a convincing 5-0 victory over Philadelphia. The team appears to have moved past the initial shock of their trade deadline decisions, as Jake Burger has emerged as the primary power hitter, while Jesus Sanchez has also stepped up, and Xavier Edwards is on the rise as a burgeoning star. In contrast, the Mets have struggled recently, losing five of their last six contests, making it questionable to view them as heavy favorites with Severino on the mound. The Mets have lost their last three games with Severino pitching, allowing four or more earned runs in each of those outings. Betting on the Marlins with the run line could be a wise choice, considering their competitive nature against division opponents.
