Mets vs Marlins Series Preview 4/8-4/11

Hey, all – Steve here. The Mets have started the season 1-2 after the first series was wiped out and the bullpen reared its ugly head in the first game of the filthy series. The good news? We’re coming home! Home is where the heart is! Ok, I won’t turn into cliche-face, but you get the picture. If the Mets want to have a really great year, it is imperative that they take care of business in the division and that is especially true at home. The Marlins shocked everyone in 2020 and made the playoffs in the COVID-shortened season. I don’t buy them as legit contenders for the division, but they could turn into a nuisance if the Mets aren’t careful. Let’s get to the series.

Mets (1-2) vs Marlins (1-5)

Game 1

Taijuan Walker vs Nick Neidert

I don’t know much about Neidert, but I do know he made his debut last yr and saw limited action through the shortened season. Walker? He was the final signing for the Mets in the off-season and I do believe we are also pretty excited to see what’s he’s got. He is saying all the right things to the media, but he seems super excited to get to pitch the home-opener. Between both teams, hitters have 11 at-bats against the opposing pitcher. It might be worth noting that Corey Dickerson is 3 for 5 with 2 home runs and 6 RBI against Walker in his career.

Game 2

Jacob deGrom vs Trevor Rogers

Does it even matter? There is no pitcher in the game that matches up with deGrom, but the problem is they are UNDER .500 over the last 3 years. Roger is certainly nowhere near the greatness that is CYgrom as he made his debut in August at Citifield. That day he did what many rookie pitchers do to the Mets – 4 shutout innings. Not much to be said for Mets hitters vs Rogers, but let’s take a look at some notable Marlins against deGrom:

Jorge Alfaro – 18 AB .222 1 HR 4 RBI

Brian Anderson – 35 AB .229 1 HR 3 RBI

Lewis Brinson – 25 AB .200 0 HR 2 RBI

Garrett Cooper – 14 AB .286 1 HR 3 RBI

Corey Dickerson – 11 AB .182 0 HR 1 RBI

Miguel Rojas – 30 AB .267 0 HR 4 RBI

Game 3

Marcus Stroman vs TBD

For the final game of the 3 game set on Sunday, we get the classic TBD from the Marlins and Stroman for the Mets. Stroman pitched well in his first start in filthadelphia, but that start is done and now it is time to look forward to what lies ahead. He has faced Marlins hitters a total of 41 times, with 33 of those times coming against Corey Dickerson. Dickerson owns a rather robust .424 average with 2 HR and 6 RBI against Stroman in this ABs. Needless to say, Dickerson will be in the lineup against Stroman barring a miracle.

Predictions for the series