Miami Marlins (0-3) @ New York Mets (2-1) Series Preview: April 5th to April 7th (Games 4-6)

The Miami Marlins will head to New York to take on the Mets after getting swept by the Washington Nationals. The team will be looking for their first win. If the team can get strong pitching and the offense breaks out for two or three runs, the Marlins might be able to steal a game or two in New York.

Although the Mets have started the season hot, winning two of their three games against the San Diego Padres, they like the Marlins, are expected to struggle in 2013. They traded their ace in R.A. Dickey and will be without the services of Johan Santana for the rest of the season.

Although neither team will be playing for much in 2013, both teams know if they can beat the other, they will be able to avoid the basement in the competitive National League East.

Miami Marlins (0-3) @ New York Mets (2-1), April 5-7, Games 4-6

NL East Standings

Stadium: Citi Field

Five-year Run PF*: .97

Five-year HR PF*: .96

Stadium Dimensions:

Left field line—335 ft.
Left-center field—385 ft.
Center field—408 ft.
Right-center field—375 ft.
Right field line—330 ft.

*Five-year regressed park factors provided by Patriot here

Projected Pitching Matchups

April 5:  Alex Sanabia vs. Jeremy Hefner
April 6: Ricky Nolasco vs. Jon Niese
April 7:  Jose Fernandez vs. Aaron Laffey

ZiPS In-Season Projections

Mar 9, 2013; Melbourne, FL, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Alex Sanabia (59) against the Washington Nationals during a spring training game at Space Coast Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Friday (4/5/13):

Alex Sanabia will make his first start of the 2013 season for the Fish. He was initially slated to start the season in Triple-A, but with the shoulder injuries sustained by Henderson Alvarez and Nathan Eovaldi, the Marlins called Sanabia to take the place for one of them.

Jeremy Hefner gets the call for the Mets in the opener. He is also slotted in the rotation due to an injury to a teammate. Hefner is taking the spot of Johan Santana in the rotation.

Will have deeper scouting reports on both pitchers later today in the game thread.

Saturday (4/6/13):

Nolasco pitched well in his first outing of the season for the Fish. He will hope to continue that success against the Mets. Due to the injuries and the early off-days in the season, Nolasco will make his second start before the Marlins get all the way through their rotation for the first time.

Niese will be on the bump for the Mets. He is also making his second start of the season. Niese had an impressive outing against the Padres his first time out. The soft-tossing lefty will look to build on his first start against a much weaker offense than the Padres.

Sunday (4/7/13):

Mar 9, 2013; Melbourne, FL, USA; Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez throws against the Washington Nationals during the bottom of the sixth inning of a spring training game at Space Coast Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

This is the game I am most excited to see. The Marlins top overall prospect, Jose Fernandez, will take the mound for the first time in his major league career. Many experts believe that Fernandez has the stuff to hold his own in the majors right now. This will be his chance to prove he belongs with a strong start to his career.

Laffey will get the ball for the Mets, starting in the place of Shaun Marcum, who is expected to miss a month with with bicep tendinitis and has been diagnosed with neck inflammation.

To further preview the series, I had an email chat with Editor Matt Musico, which I posted earlier today. Check out what Matt had to say about the early season injuries for the Mets. He also made an interesting remark about Jose Fernandez’s chances of making a strong impression in his Major League Debut.

Check back before the game today for our game thread, which will feature more details on the pitching matchups as well as the lineups for both teams.

Upcoming Schedule:

April 8-10: vs Atlanta Braves

May 12-14: vs Philadelphia Phillies

May 15-17: vs Washington Nationals