Mets Must Salvage Series Against Marlins To Close Gap In NL East Standings

After finding a rhythm during the first half of the month, the New York Mets have lost four of its last five games and currently own a 22-30 record, the second-worst record in the National League.

The Mets were making up ground in the NL East prior to this little losing skid and had a chance to jump in front of the Washington Nationals in the division but ended up splitting the four-game series last week.

With another important divisional matchup against the Miami Marlins on the road, the Mets lost the first two games of the three-game set and are 1.5 games behind Miami for fourth place. New York has mustered just three hits and one run in both contests, but the Marlins took advantage of an early lead and didn’t allow the lone run until the ninth inning in Game 2.

Marlins right-hander Max Meyer kept his perfect record intact, earning his fifth win of the season after pitching seven brilliant innings and allowing just one hit and three walks while striking out eight batters. Mets ace righty Freddy Peralta also tossed seven innings but allowed all four Miami runs on eight hits and two walks with nine punchouts.

First baseman Mark Vientos collected two of the Mets’ hits and delivered the team’s lone run on a single off lefty Andrew Nardi.

A win to salvage the series and avoid being swept would be huge for New York and its position in the standings, so right-hander Christian Scott needs to be locked in and be a stopper.

Scott hasn’t factored into a decision in five starts this season and has a 4.12 ERA and 1.47 WHIP with 25 strikeouts through 19.2 innings. He has only completed five innings once but hasn’t allowed more than three runs in an outing yet.

Scott last worked against the Nationals, pitching four innings and allowing three runs on four hits and three walks while striking out five. He will face the following Marlins lineup:

1. Liam Hicks (C)

2. Xavier Edwards (2B)

3. Owen Caissie (RF)

4. Kyle Stowers (LF)

5. Otto Lopez (SS)

6. Jakob Marsee (CF)

7. Connor Norby (1B)

8. Christopher Morel (DH)

9. Javier Sanoja (3B)

The Mets will face an opener to start, and it will be crafty right-hander Tyler Phillips taking the ball first for the Marlins. Phillips also hasn’t factored into a decision yet this season but has been impressive with a 1.20 ERA and 1.27 WHIP in 15 games (30 innings). He will take on the following Mets lineup:

1. Carson Benge (RF)

2. Bo Bichette (SS)

3. A.J. Ewing (CF)

4. Vientos (1B)

5. Brett Baty (3B)

6. Marcus Semien (2B)

7. MJ Melendez (DH)

8. Tyrone Taylor (LF)

9. Hayden Senger (C)

First pitch is at 1:40 p.m. EDT on MLB.TV and regional sports networks.