Mets at Marlins
Game No. 161 between two teams a combined 51 games out of first place nonetheless features two very intriguing storylines. For New York, knuckleballer R.A. Dickey looks to write the final chapter of his remarkable season. One of the hitters he may face is Miami’s Adam Greenberg, who will receive one at-bat seven years after he was beaned in his only major-league plate appearance. Greenberg played for the Cubs when former Marlins’ hurler Valerio de los Santos hit him with a pitch July 9, 2005.
Greenberg’s moment in the spotlight will last for only a few pitches, but Dickey has emerged as one of the stars of 2012. He is a leading candidate for the National League Cy Young award and could tie Washington’s Gio Gonzalez for the NL lead in victories at 21 (Gonzalez pitches for the Nationals on Tuesday). Dickey has dominated Miami this season, going 5-0 in five starts with a 1.38 ERA.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), FS Florida (Miami)
PITCHING MATCHUP: New York RH R.A. Dickey (20-6, 2.69 ERA) vs. Miami RH Jacob Turner (2-5, 4.94).
Dickey has surrendered only six runs in 39 innings against the Marlins this season, striking out 28 and walking seven. Two of those victories are complete-game gems, including a five-hit shutout Aug. 31 at Marlins Park. Dickey has won five of his past seven decisions.
A dropped fly ball led to two unearned runs in Turner’s last start, a 6-2 loss at Atlanta. Turner allowed six hits and four runs in six innings. He is 0-1 against the Mets allowing three unearned runs (six total runs) Sept. 21 in New York.
WALK-OFFS
1. Miami has lost 11 of its past 14; New York has dropped three in a row.
2. The Marlins finished September at 8-19, thanks in part to a bullpen that blew six of its nine save opportunities.
3. New York C Josh Thole, who was grazed in the head by a line drive while standing in the dugout Sunday at Atlanta, did not start. Thole was diagnosed with a swollen ear.