Marlins Look to Avoid Sweep Against Mets

MIAMI — With their playoff hopes hanging by a thread, the Miami Marlins will close out their season series against the New York Mets on Wednesday at 6:40 p.m. ET at loanDepot park.

A pair of right-handers will take the mound, with Clayton McCullough rolling with Janson Junk (6-9, 4.00 ERA) and interim manager Andy Green going with Robert Stock (1-3, 5.81 ERA).

The Mets have won the first two games of the series largely because of their offense. Marlins right-hander Eury Pérez allowed a season-high 10 hits in Monday’s 9-4 loss, while Sandy Alcantara was charged with seven earned runs in Tuesday’s 7-5 loss to New York.

The Marlins will look to Junk to provide some stability after their starting pitchers struggled to contain the Mets’ lineup in the first two games.

Junk has been effective for much of the season, posting a 4.00 ERA in his 21 starts. He will try to give Miami a chance to avoid being swept in the three-game series.

Junk blanked the Mets for five innings July 31 at Citi Field, allowing just three hits and striking out four in the win.

Stock took the loss against Miami on Aug. 2 in New York, working five innings, allowing three hits and one earned run while striking out four.

Entering Wednesday, the Marlins trail the final Wild Card spot in the National League by six games, making the climb more difficult by the day.

Junk will face a Mets lineup that has shown it can score in bunches, while Stock will try to slow a Marlins offense that has had trouble sustaining rallies. Miami will need to capitalize on its scoring chances and limit the extra-base hits that have helped New York control the first two games.

Miami’s offense will also need to produce more consistently after scoring nine runs through the first two games. The Marlins had opportunities Tuesday but could not overcome Alcantara’s rough outing or New York’s early offensive surge, as the Mets jumped out to a 7-0 lead.

The Mets have put pressure on Miami’s pitching throughout the series, producing timely hits and taking advantage of mistakes. The Marlins will need a cleaner performance from Junk and the bullpen if they hope to win the final game of the series and season against New York and finish on a positive note.

With the regular season winding down, every game carries added importance for Miami. The Marlins have little margin for error as they try to stay alive in the playoff race, making Wednesday’s finale another opportunity to keep their postseason hopes alive.