Miami @ New York preview
Citi Field
Last Meeting ( Aug 8, 2012 ) Miami 13, NY Mets 0
Jose Reyes has once again made himself at home in Queens. Unfortunately for the New York Mets, so have the rest of Reyes' teammates. The visiting Miami Marlins will attempt to secure a three-game sweep of the free-falling Mets when the National League East rivals meet for a Thursday afternoon tilt. Reyes, who is a former Met, extended his career-best hitting streak to 26 games with a solo blast as Miami cruised to a 13-0 triumph on Wednesday.
Giancarlo Stanton belted a pair of two-run homers and Carlos Lee extended his hitting streak to 13 games with a two-run single in the lopsided affair. The Citi Field faithful has certainly seen the opposition have its way with the Mets, who have dropped nine consecutive home games and 18 of 25 overall.
TV: 12:10 p.m. ET, FSFL (Miami), SNY (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Josh Johnson (7-7, 3.85 ERA) vs. Mets RH R.A. Dickey (14-3, 2.82)
Johnson has dominated the Mets in his career, posting an 8-1 record with a 2.59 ERA and 1.11 WHIP. The 28-year-old surrendered one run on three hits and struck out nine in a no-decision on April 24. Johnson also fanned nine batters in his last outing as he fell one out short of a complete-game victory over Washington on Friday.
Dickey was solid in his own right in his last start against the Marlins. The veteran knuckleballer pitched six strong innings and picked up the win in a 9-3 triumph on May 12. Dickey has dropped two of his last three starts, but has struck out 24 in that stretch.
WALK-OFFS
1. If Reyes secures a hit on Thursday, he'll move past Emilio Bonifacio (2011) for the second-longest streak in franchise history. Luis Castillo holds the club mark with 35, set in 2002. Reyes is just 2-for-12 with three strikeouts versus Dickey.
2. Marlins OF Carlos Lee is also riding a hot streak, having hit safely in 13 straight games. Lee has enjoyed some success versus Dickey, going 8-for-21 with three doubles and a homer in his career.
3. New York's Ruben Tejada is also riding a career-high 13-game hitting streak, but he is 0-for-4 with three strikeouts versus Johnson.