Series Preview: Mets Head to Miami to Face Struggling Marlins

The New York Mets (20-23) were on the verge of losing four consecutive games in a home-and-home series against the Philadelphia Phillies, but they pulled out a 6-5 win in 11 innings on Thursday night. Manager Carlos Mendoza will hope his team can find some offensive rhythm against the Miami Marlins (13-32), who have the worst record in the National League.

Injuries to big players and underperformance put the front office in a position to trade Luis Arráez to the San Diego Padres, a decision that shocked all within the baseball world. The Mets need to take advantage of a team that is moving towards a rebuild or a retool in the month of May. Let’s take a look at some key notes on the three pitching matchups.

Friday, May 17, 2024: RHP Christian Scott (0-1, 2.84 ERA) vs. LHP Jesús Luzardo (0-3, 5.97 ERA)

Christian Scott got his first look at the high-powered Atlanta Braves his last time out, and outside of a difficult stretch in the middle third of the game, the young right-hander thrived against the Mets’ rival. Scott threw six innings, allowing three earned runs on six hits while striking out eight. So far, through two starts, opponents have had no success against his slider or his sweeper. Batters are 0-for-8 against the slider and 1-for-11 against the sweeper, with the only hit being a single. Scott should continue to lean on those breaking pitches as he gets more comfortable and teams begin to make adjustments against him. He will be making his second career road start in Miami.

Jesús Luzardo made a career-high 32 starts for the Marlins in 2023, pitching to a 3.58 ERA in 178 2/3 innings. With flame-throwing right-hander Sandy Alcántara out for the season, the organization was hopeful that Luzardo would step into his role as the team’s ace. Unfortunately, the left-hander has actually taken a step backwards in the first month-and-a-half of the season. Luzardo is allowing 4.0 walks per nine, a big increase from 2.8 walks per nine last season. The home run ball has also been an issue, allowing at least one in four of his first six starts. Luzardo is making his seventh career start against the Mets, going 2-2 with a 3.55 ERA in the first six.

Saturday, May 18, 2024: RHP Luis Severino (2-2, 3.00 ERA) vs. LHP Braxton Garrett (0-0, 8.44 ERA)

While Luis Severino has, for the most part, performed well this season, he has worked in and out of trouble far too often. He has given up more than his fair share of walks, which has resulted in him not being able to pitch deep into games. Severino is allowing 4.0 walks per nine, which ranks No. 77 among 81 qualified pitchers. But despite those problems, he has the best ERA in the Mets’ rotation. If Severino can show any sort of progression with his command, it could improve even further for the former New York Yankee. His only career start against the Marlins was superb, throwing six scoreless innings with eight strikeouts all the way back in April of 2018.

Braxton Garrett was one of the unsung heroes in the Marlins’ run to the postseason last year, making 31 appearances (30 starts). But like so many of his teammates, injuries forced him to miss the early weeks of this season with a shoulder impingement. Garrett made his debut on May 12 at home against the Phillies, allowing five runs on five hits in 5 1/3 innings. The left-hander threw 80 pitches in that game, so the Marlins will hope he can reach 90+ pitches on Saturday. Garrett is 0-2 against the Mets in six career starts.

Sunday, May 19, 2024: LHP Sean Manaea (2-1, 3.05 ERA) vs. RHP Sixto Sánchez (0-1, 5.96 ERA) 

Sean Manaea surrendered a season-high six earned runs in a 11-7 loss to the Kansas City Royals on April 13. Since then, the left-hander has appeared to have command of all of his pitches. Over his last five outings, Manaea is 1-0 with a 2.36 ERA in 26 2/3 innings. He has done a wonderful job of keeping the ball in the park, allowing no home runs in seven of eight starts. Manaea may not be striking out as many as he did earlier in his career, but his control has allowed him to avoid the big inning. The 32-year-old is 0-2 against the Marins in his career, pitching to a 5.40 ERA in 10 total innings.

Sixto Sánchez broke onto the scene as a 21-year-old during the 60-game season in 2020, helping the Marlins reach the postseason. It seemed like he was primed to become one of the most exciting starters in all of baseball, but injuries have kept him out of the big leagues for three years. While Sánchez is back, his stuff is just nowhere near the same. In 2020, the average velocity on his four-seam fastball was 98.5 MPH. Four years later, that same pitch has an average velocity of 94.5 MPH. Four of Sánchez’s 11 appearances this year have come as a starter. In those outings, he is 0-0 with a 5.87 ERA across 15 1/3 innings. Sunday will be his first ever start against the Mets.

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

Jeff McNeil (NYM)

The Mets’ decision to designate Joey Wendle for assignment earlier this week leaves the team with no backup second baseman, meaning more and more pressure is on Jeff McNeil to produce at the plate. He has gone through a few downs in his career, but none have been more significant than his start to this season. The 32-year-old is 3-for-23 with one run batted in over his last seven games, lowering his season average to .230. McNeil has been dropped to as low as eighth in the lineup, which hasn’t resulted in any more offensive success. He will hope to get on track against the Marlins, an opponent he is slashing .292/.375/.450/.825 against in his career.

Jake Burger (MIA)

Jake Burger hit the ground running after he was traded from the Chicago White Sox to the Marlins at last year’s deadline, hitting .303 with a .860 OPS over 217 plate appearances. He was expected to have a big role in the middle of their lineup this season, but that has been far from the case. Burger is 2-for-22 with five strikeouts over his last five games, with both of those hits being singles. The infielder is now slashing .176/.214/.297/.511 in 98 plate appearances this season. Burger will look to rediscover himself against the Mets at home.

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