Marlins at Mets
The New York Mets have utilized a dominant stretch on the mound to win four straight games and they will try to continue the surge in the second of three straight games against the visiting Miami Marlins on Tuesday. Jason Vargas and five relievers combined on a five-hitter in Monday's 2-0 win in the series opener.
The Mets have given up a total of six runs during the winning streak, their longest since a nine-gamer early in the year. Asdrubal Cabrera had a pair of hits and an RBI for New York, and the veteran infielder is 6-for-16 with two home runs, three RBIs and four runs scored in four games - all wins - against the Marlins this year. Miami has dropped six of its last seven on the road after going 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position and leaving eight runners on base in the loss. It will aim to provide more support for left-hander Caleb Smith, who starts Tuesday opposite Zack Wheeler for the Mets.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, FS Florida (Miami), SNY (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins LH Caleb Smith (2-5, 4.22 ERA) vs. Mets RH Zack Wheeler (2-3, 5.92)
Opponents are hitting just .204 against Smith, but a lack of command hurt him Thursday against the Los Angeles Dodgers, who had only two hits but drew four walks and scored four runs in Smith's 3 2/3 innings. That outing snapped a four-start string in which the 26-year-old had allowed two runs or fewer. Smith gave up three runs while striking out seven over five innings in a no-decision against the Mets at home April 10.
Wheeler has given up 14 runs in 10 innings over his last two home starts after a rocky showing against Toronto at Citi Field on Wednesday. The former first-round pick opened the year by tossing seven innings of one-run ball in a win at Miami, improving to 3-1 with a 2.15 ERA in eight career encounters. The Marlins are batting a measly .171 in those matchups with Wheeler, whose lone career shutout came at Miami in 2014.
WALK-OFFS
1. New York's bullpen has tossed 13 scoreless innings with 17 strikeouts during the four-game winning streak.
2. Miami activated RHP Odrisamer Despaigne (forearm) from the 10-day disabled list and optioned LHP Dillon Peters to Triple-A New Orleans.
3. Mets C Devin Mesoraco has three home runs, five RBIs and eight runs scored in his last six games.