Miami @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 2, 2012 ) NY Mets 5, Miami 1

In spring training, the Miami Marlins were the hot pick to make a long playoff run. Six months later, the Marlins find themselves visiting the New York Mets for a three-game series with avoiding last place in the National League East on the line. The Marlins, who sit one game behind the fourth-place Mets, are trying to avoid their second consecutive last-place finish. Rumors are swirling around club president Larry Beinfest and manager Ozzie Guillen, and it’s possible both could be fired in the next few weeks. Miami has gone 4-8 against the Mets this season, including a 2-4 mark at Citi Field, where the Mets have set a franchise record by scoring three runs or less in 16 consecutive games.

While the Marlins have lost six of their last nine games, at least they’re not coming off a 16-1 loss. The Mets were crushed by Philadelphia on Thursday when the Phillies scored eight runs in the first inning, one in the eighth and seven in the ninth. New York has lost five straight and 11 of 12 while going 4-25 in its last 29 games at Citi Field. One of the few bright spots has been the play of infielder Daniel Murphy, who is hitting .351 (20-for-57) with two home runs this month. Marlins rookie Rob Brantly’s nine-game hitting streak puts him one game away from tying the longest hitting streak by a catcher in franchise history. Brantly is batting .448 (13-for-29) with four doubles, one home run and three RBI during his streak.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS Florida (Miami), SNY (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Jacob Turner (1-2, 3.75 ERA) vs. Mets LH Jonathon Niese (11-9, 3.46)

With the Marlins using a six-man rotation, Turner hasn’t pitched since last Friday when he tossed seven shutout innings against the Reds. He’s walked just three batters in 24 innings covering three starts since being called up the Marlins. The 21-year-old Turner was acquired from the Tigers in July as part of the trade for Anibal Sanchez and Omar Infante.

Niese has a 2.23 ERA and a 29-to-9 strikeout-to-walk ratio over his last six starts, and he held Milwaukee to two runs over six innings last Friday. Niese, who has recorded quality outings in seven of his last eight starts, is 0-1 with a 2.84 ERA in three starts against Miami this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Mets RHP R.A. Dickey will start on Saturday against the Marlins instead of Sunday. The move allows Dickey to make two of his final three starts at home.

2. Marlins closer Steve Cishek has given up eight runs (seven earned) in 6 1/3 innings while recording three saves this month.

3. Mets closer Frank Francisco continues to be listed as day-to-day with tendinitis in his throwing elbow.