New York @ Florida preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 1, 2011 ) Florida 5, NY Mets 7

THE STORY: Both the New York Mets and the Florida Marlins find themselves in unfamiliar territory going into a three-game series starting Monday at Sun Life Stadium. After each team won two of three over the weekend, the National League East rivals square off for the sixth time in eight days Monday. The Mets won four of five in a series at Citi Field last week, but Florida leads the season series 8-7.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets LH Chris Capuano (10-11, 4.41 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Javier Vazquez (8-11, 4.42 ERA)

Capuano has seen his share of the Marlins this season, facing them five times without a win. That includes a no-decision Wednesday against Florida in which he allowed two runs over five innings in a game the Mets eventually won 3-2. Capuano is 4-4 with a 3.55 ERA in 12 starts and one relief appearance against Florida. Most of the Marlins have struggled against Capuano, but Omar Infante (7-for-16, 2 HR) and Gaby Sanchez (6-for-14, 1 HR) have hit him well.

Vazquez kept up his remarkable late-season run by beating the Mets on Tuesday. He threw seven scoreless innings for his seventh consecutive quality start. The 35-year-old is 2-2 with a 2.30 ERA during that stretch. Vazquez is 11-10 with a 3.12 ERA in 28 starts against the Mets.

ABOUT THE METS (68-70): The Mets took two of three from Washington over the weekend to get within two games of .500. They've won eight of 10 overall. The hot streak comes amidst a youth movement, as the Mets take a look at some of their top prospects. Lucas Duda continued his solid hitting Sunday with his ninth home run, and Josh Satin went 1-for-2 in his major-league debut.

ABOUT THE MARLINS (62-77): It has been a rough stretch — and a rough season — for the Marlins, but they rallied for wins Saturday and Sunday to take two of three from visiting Philadelphia. Sunday's win came on Mike Cameron's bases-loaded walk in the 14th inning. That win came without outfielder Mike Stanton in the lineup. Stanton, who leads the team with 32 home runs, sat out with a tight right hamstring and is day-to-day.

FINAL PITCH: Despite the win Sunday, the Marlins stranded 23 runners, a franchise record. They were 3-for-19 with runners in scoring position.