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Does it seem like a while since we’ve played the Marlins? That’s because it has been. When we last saw Miami in mid-May, both the Mets and the Marlins had winning records.
Since that time, the Marlins have struggled, badly. A 5-13 interleague record didn’t help. Going 8-16 since the All-Star break hasn’t helped. A -100 run differential doesn’t help. Losing 3 of 4 on this road trip to both Atlanta and Washington…is indicative of the quality (or lack thereof) of the Miami club.
Marlin Trades
Carlos Lee: acquired from Houston on July 4.
Anibal Sanchez and Omar Infante: traded to Detroit on July 23
Hanley Ramirez and Randy Choate: traded to Dodgers on July 25.
Gaby Sanchez: traded to Pittsburgh on July 31.
Edward Mujica: traded to St. Louis on July 31.
Pitching Matchups
Tue: Wade LeBlanc (L) v. Jon Niese
LeBlanc pitched out of the bullpen until making his first start of this year in his last outing. Last faced the Mets last August when he was with San Diego. 1.35 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in 20 innings pitched this year. Tuesday is LeBlanc’s birthday; he’s 28.
Wed: Nathan Eovaldi (R) v. Chris Young
Eovaldi was acquired from the Dodgers in the Hanley Ramirez deal. 4.66 ERA and 1.55 WHIP in 63 innings (combined Dodgers and Marlins).
He started against the Mets at Citi Field on July 22nd and got hit around (7 hits and a walk) but only gave up 1 run. The Mets would lose that game by giving up 5 runs in the top of the 12th.
Thu: Josh Johnson (R) v. RA Dickey
12:10 PM EDT start for this marquee pitching matchup. Johnson is a serviceable 7-7, 3.85 ERA, 1.298 WHIP in his 22 starts this year. He lost the pitchers duel to Johan in the first Mets/Marlins tilt this year. Despite being subject to trade rumors, Johnson remained put. He is still under the Marlins’ control for 2013.
Lineup
C – John Buck (R)
Signed to a regrettable 3-year contract (this is year two), he’s getting $6 million to deliver a .591 OPS. (Reference point: still 60 points higher than Jason Bay).
1B – Carlos Lee(R)
Lee refused a trade to the Dodgers before Houston was able to ship him off to Miami. He’s been serviceable for Miami (29 for 95, .782 OPS, a current 11-game hitting streak) since the trade but he’s no longer the big threat he once was. Curiously, his splits favor him batting against righties (200 points higher in OPS) than lefties this year.
2B – Donovan Solano (R)
24-year old rookie, not a lot of pop in the bat.
3B – Greg Dobbs (L) / Donnie Murphy (R)
Basically a platoon, with Ramirez gone and Bonifacio on the DL. (Solano had played some third too). Dobbs is hitting .307 in 200 PAs but it’s mostly singles and he’s a bad fielder. Murphy can’t hit at all.
SS – Reyes (S)
Jose has been hot lately, and has a 24-game hitting streak coming into the series. .783 OPS on the year, with 26 doubles, 8 triples and 7 homers. 27 out of 33 stealing bases. Has been moved to the third spot in the lineup following the Ramirez trade.
Outfielders
Lots of mixing and matching here during Gincarlo Stanton's trip to the DL.
Bryan Petersen (L) installed as the leadoff hitter with Bonifacio on the DL and Reyes hitting third. Doesn’t hit much. Probably going to play left this series.
Gorkys Hernandez (R), acquired from Pittsburgh in the Sanchez deal. 24 year old rookie; hasn’t hit at all in his forty-two major league plate appearances. Had a .699 OPS in Triple A this year. Probably playing center this series.
Scott Cousins (L), 27-year old AAAA-player. Was hitting a respectable .827 OPS in triple-A but .494 OPS in the majors (74 plate appearances). Probably back to the bench.
RF – Gincarlo Stanton (R), expected to be activated from the DL for Tuesday’s game. Had surgery to remove a “loose body” in the right knee. 19 homers and a .919 OPS this year.
Bullpen
Steve Cishek (R) is the closer. 1.77 ERA and 1.25 WHIP in 45 innings (44 Ks to 21 walks).
Our old friend Heath Bell (R) lost the closer’s job in early July with his sixth blown save. He’s actually been quite efficient since, with only 3 hits, 3 walks and no runs allowed over his past 9 outings.
Mike Dunn (L) is the lefty; you may remember any one of his three bad outings against the Mets this year. 30 UP, 4.20 ERA; 1.60 WHIP.
Chad Gaudin (R) is the workhorse, 52 innings over 28 outings. 4.27 ERA and 1.35 WHIP with 42 Ks and 18 walks.
Carlos Zambrano (R) has been exiled to the Marlins’ pen. He lost his rotation spot to LeBlanc due to a strike-throwing deficiency (35 walks in 39 innings).
Injured Marlins
Emilio Bonifacio, sprained left thumb.
Juan Oviedo (formerly Leo Nunez), got back into the US following his fake identiy/immigration problems. He served his eight-week MLB suspension and then went on the DL with a right elbow strain. Probably out for the year.
Logan Morrison, right knee inflammation, probably out for the year
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