Mets 68-70 vs Marlins 62-77 Preview

Chris Capunao 10-11, 4.41 ERA

Javier Vazquez 8-11, 4.42 ERA

Monday #Mets lineup: Reyes-6, Tejada-4, Duda-9, Wright-5, Pagan-8, Bay-7, Evans-3, Thole-2, Capuano-1less than a minute ago via TweetDeck Favorite Retweet ReplyAdam Rubin
AdamRubinESPN

The Mets open up their final three game series at Sun Life Stadium tonight, as they try to beat the Marlins for the fifth time in a week. New York has been surging back towards .500 again, and much of their recent success has came from beating the Florida Marlins. Despite being all but matematically eliminated from playoff contension, the Mets have won eight of there last 10 games, in which they beat the Nationals 6-3 on Sunday.

Outfielder Willie Harris sparked a 4-run sixth inning with a two-run, pinch hit single in their win on Sunday. “The Willie Harrises and those guys that have been here all year long … we’ve asked them to do some tough jobs.” manager Terry Collins told the Mets’ official website. “They deserve to be treated professionally and they deserve to be put in situations that they’re on this team for, and that was one of those situations.”

The Mets may well be in a strong position to continue this surge, in which they took four of five from the Marlins last week during their 5-game homestand. Although New York has dropped 11 of its last 15 games at Sun Life Stadium, they will give the ball to LHP Chris Capuano as they pull ever so closer to the .500 mark again. Capuano struggle early and did not get a decision in Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Marlins. He allowed 2-runs in the opening inning before holding the Marlins scoreless in his next four innings.

Jose Reyes is expected back in tonight's line-up after being given Sunday off. Reyes is trying to regain t he NL batting lead from the Brewers Ryan Braun, currently with a .335 average, who is just ahead of Reyes' .333 mark. Reyes is batting 10-for-27 (.370) in his last five road games against the Marlins. The Marlins are currently last in the NL East but recently took two out of three from the 1st place Phillies.

Chris Capuano:

• 1-1, 4.26 ERA, 31.2IP 32H 15ER 6BB 33K 4HRs (Last 5 Games)
• Away (This Year) - 6-6, 4.94 ERA, 71.0IP 78H 39ER 23BB 59K 13HRs .274BAA (14 Games, 12 Starts)
• Career vs Marlins - 4-4, 3.55 ERA, 76.0IP 71H 30ER 19BB 67K 8HRs .252BAA (13 Games, 12 Starts)

Javier Vazquez:

• 1-2, 2.73 ERA, 33.0IP 22H 10ER 6BB 38K 2HRs (Last 5 Games)
• Home (This Year) - 3-7, 5.20 ERA, 64.0IP 75H 37ER 25BB 66K 9HRs .290BAA (12 Starts)
• Career vs Mets - 11-10, 3.12 ERA, 184.1IP 158H 64ER 45BB 158K 21HRs. 232BAA (28 Starts)

In Case You Missed It:

• Josh Satin made his major league debut after seven years in the minors, lofting a single to left in his first at-bat

• Ike Davis took a day off after two days of workouts in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Davis is expected to work out for the Mets staff Monday in Miami.

• Bobby Parnell on Saturday night suffered his first blown save opportunity since taking over the closer's job from Jason Isringhausen. Parnell came back though with a hitless ninth inning for his fifth save Sunday afternoon.

Quoted By Mike Pelfrey: "It's frustrating, obviously. You almost start to laugh. Maybe I'll throw a knuckleball or something." - On his high pitch count Sunday and inability to put hitters away