Marlins at Mets (Game 1)
After getting done in by the home run ball during their previous series, the New York Mets were able to make a statement with a pair of blasts in their opener against the Miami Marlins. New York looks to ride that momentum on Saturday when it hosts a doubleheader versus its struggling National League East rival. The Mets rebounded after allowing 13 homers to Washington without one of their own during a four-game sweep as Lucas Duda and Andrew Brown went deep in a 4-3 win over Miami on Friday.
New York's run production against the Marlins nearly matched its sum total after getting outscored 25-5 versus the Nationals. Giancarlo Stanton wasn't left out of the home run party, going deep to lead off both the second and seventh innings for his third multi-homer game of the season and ninth career. Stanton has launched four homers in his last six games for the Marlins, who hold a 10-6 edge in the season series.
TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, FSFL (Miami), WPIX (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Henderson Alvarez (3-4, 4.34 ERA) vs. Mets RH Daisuke Matsuzaka (0-3, 8.00)
Pitching on six days' rest, Alvarez fell to 1-3 in his last seven outings after permitting five runs on as many hits in four innings in a 5-2 setback to Atlanta on Monday. The 23-year-old has allowed at least three earned runs in six of those seven outings. Alvarez improved to 1-1 in his career versus the Mets on July 31 after yielding two runs on six hits over 7 1/3 innings in a 3-2 triumph.
After three less-than-inspiring outings, Matsuzaka provided a stellar response on Sept. 8 by allowing one run on three hits in 5 2/3 innings of a no-decision versus Cleveland. The 33-year-old had permitted 15 earned runs on 19 hits in 12 1/3 innings. Matsuzaka continues to struggle with control, walking 10 batters in 18 innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Mets SS Ruben Tejada is 0-for-9 since being recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday.
2. Marlins 2B Donovan Solano has collected both a hit and an RBI in each of his last three contests.
3. The doubleheader came as a result of a postponement due to rain on June 7.