New York @ Florida preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 22, 2011 ) NY Mets 7, Florida 6

THE STORY: The New York Mets have been the subject of trade talk with the deadline looming, but now they're making headlines with their play. The Mets seek their fourth win in five games Saturday when they face the struggling Florida Marlins in the second of their three-game series at Sun Life Stadium. Marlins righthander Clay Hensley starts opposite Mets lefty Chris Capuano in a rematch of Monday's make-up date in New York, when Hensley and Florida prevailed 4-1.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, WPIX, Fox Sports Florida

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets LH Chris Capuano (8-9, 4.16 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Clay Hensley (1-2, 2.70 ERA).

Capuano lasted 7 2/3 innings Monday, marking the first time he has gone more than seven since July 23, 2007. But he allowed four runs and lost his second straight start. Capuano has made nine starts and one relief appearance against the Marlins and is 4-3 with a 3.36 ERA. Hensley made his first start since 2008 Monday, allowing only one hit and two walks in five scoreless innings. It was his third career start against the Mets to go with 13 relief appearances. He is 2-2 with a 3.64 ERA against them.

ABOUT THE MARLINS (47-53): The Marlins have lost four straight, their longest skid under interim manager Jack McKeon. The offense was ineffective in a three-game sweep by the Padres this week, but it was the pitching staff that let the Marlins down Friday as the Mets took the series opener 7-6. The usually steady bullpen gave up three runs, including the go-ahead score and an insurance run in the eighth inning. Leadoff man Emilio Bonifacio extended his career-best hitting streak to 21 games Friday, the longest active streak in the majors.

ABOUT THE METS (50-49): The Mets have pushed back above .500, but they're still 8 1/2 games behind Atlanta in the wild-card race. That might be a wide enough margin for the team to unload prized outfielder Carlos Beltran, among others. But for now, New York has third baseman David Wright back in the lineup after more than two months on the disabled list, and Wright delivered a pair of RBI doubles in Friday's win. They also have the majors' leading hitter in leadoff man Jose Reyes, who went 2-for-6 Friday and is batting .349.

FINAL PITCH: New York's Jason Isringhausen earned his 295th career save Friday, which ranks 23rd all-time and third among active players behind Mariano Rivera (583) and Francisco Cordero (309).