Miami @ New York preview
Citi Field
Last Meeting ( May 13, 2012 ) NY Mets 4, Miami 8
The New York Mets attempt to cool down a former teammate Tuesday when they host Jose Reyes and the Miami Marlins in the opener of a three-game series. Reyes, who spent the first nine years of his career with New York before leaving for Miami as a free agent last winter, enters Citi Field with a career-best 24-game hitting streak - the longest in the majors this season. The series is the final leg of an 11-game road trip for the Marlins, who are 2-6 on the trek thus far.
New York returns home following a 6-5 road trip. But its own confines have not been very friendly of late as the club is mired in a seven-game home losing streak, its longest since dropping eight in a row at Shea Stadium in September 2007. The Mets have had success in their own ballpark against Miami, however, sweeping a three-game series in April and winning five straight overall.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FSN Florida (Miami), SNY (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins LH Wade LeBlanc (1-1, 1.35 ERA) vs. Mets LH Jonathon Niese (8-5, 3.72)
Celebrating his 28th birthday, LeBlanc will be making his second start of the season after 11 relief appearances. He was on his way to victory in his first start on Wednesday against Atlanta but was pulled after throwing 71 pitches in 4 1/3 innings. LeBlanc, who allowed one run and five hits versus the Braves, is 0-1 in two career starts against the Mets.
Niese is coming off a strong start at San Francisco on Wednesday, when he allowed just one run and three hits over seven innings for his first win in five outings. The 25-year-old has yielded three runs or less in eight of his last 11 starts but is just 5-3 during that span. Niese has given up two runs over 13 innings in two meetings with Miami this year but does not have a decision.
WALK-OFFS
1. With a hit on Tuesday, Reyes will match the third-longest hitting streak in Marlins history. Kevin Millar hit safely in 25 straight contests in 2002.
2. 3B David Wright went 0-for-10 as the Mets lost two of three in San Diego over the weekend.
3. Miami RF Giancarlo Stanton could return to the lineup. The All-Star has been out since undergoing right knee surgery on July 8.