Florida @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 29, 2011 ) Florida 1, NY Mets 5

THE STORY: The New York Mets have won four straight after a doubleheader sweep of the struggling Florida Marlins on Monday. But the Mets will need righthander Mike Pelfrey to solve his woes against the Marlins to keep that streak alive when the teams continue their five-game series Tuesday at Citi Field. The Marlins had won the first four meetings in New York this season before the Mets' pair of wins Monday behind strong efforts from starters R.A. Dickey and Dillon Gee.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Florida, SportsNet New York

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Javier Vazquez (7-11, 4.63 ERA) vs. Mets RH Mike Pelfrey (7-10, 4.60 ERA).

Vazquez has been one of Florida's best pitchers over the past month. He has six consecutive quality starts and a 2.70 ERA over that span, though he has only one win during that stretch. In fact, he is winless since July 27. Vazquez struck out a season-high 11 batters Wednesday against Cincinnati, but he didn't get a decision in the 6-5 win despite holding the Reds to three runs over seven innings.

Pelfrey ended his own drought Wednesday, beating Philadelphia for his first win since July 27. He allowed three runs over six innings. Pelfrey is 1-7 with a 5.14 ERA in 16 starts against the Marlins. He is 0-1 with a 4.63 ERA in four starts against Florida this season.

ABOUT THE MARLINS (59-74): The Marlins' hitters seemed out of sync Monday, having played only one game in the previous four days because of Hurricane Irene. They managed only two runs in the doubleheader, on solo homers by Gaby Sanchez and Greg Dobbs. Perhaps they can turn things around against Pelfrey. Four Marlins players are hitting .350 or better with 14 or more at-bats against Pelfrey. Omar Infante leads the way – he is 15-for-26 (.577) against the righthander.

ABOUT THE METS (64-68): New York won only two of 13 leading into its current four-game winning streak, but its starting pitchers have helped turn things around. Dobbs' solo home run off Gee in the second game Monday snapped a streak of 21 consecutive scoreless innings by Mets starters. The Mets got a mixed bag from shortstop Jose Reyes in his return from the disabled list. The All-Star went 1-for-4 and scored a run in the nightcap, but he also made an error in his first game since Aug. 7.

FINAL PITCH: Vazquez's 27 starts against the Mets are more than any other team except the Phillies (31). He is 10-10 with a 3.25 ERA in those games.