Game Thread: April 5 | Miami Marlins (0-3) @ New York Mets (2-1)

Alex Sanabia, switching jersey numbers from 59 to 28, will be making his 2013 debut as he takes the mound for the Miami Marlins in New York. The Mets will counter with Jeremy Hefner.

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

Alex Sanabia will take this chance to try and regain his success he had with the Marlins in 2010. Sanabia made 15 appearances (12 starts) that season. He pitched 72.1 innings that season, posting an impressive 3.73 ERA and 3.65 FIP. The major reason for his success was his low walk rate at just 1.99 BB/9 IP and his ability to keep the ball in the park. The Marlins felt they had an impressive pitching prospect on their hands.

Injuries derailed the next two seasons for the right hander, as he only totaled 171 innings pitched. He did make a brief appearance for the Marlins in 2011, but was less effective in this go around. He pitched 11 innings with a 4.75 FIP.

Hopefully Sanabia can pitch better than the projections have him pitching in 2013, as the Marlins will need as strong as pitching as possible, since their offense has been abysmal so far.

Hefner will be going for the Mets in this one, truthfully, I do not know much about him, so I will defer to Matt Musico and what he said in our chat I posted earlier today:

Hefner has the reputation of being a strike-thrower; if Marlins hitters decide to try and work a deep count, they may end up behind in the count more often than not

Hefner seems to be the kind of pitcher that has always given the Marlins some trouble in the past.

Miami Marlins Projected Lineup against Hefner

Greg Dobbs in the starting lineup is an indicator of how this Marlins offense really is. The Marlins do not have any other options on their major league roster that would make more sense. However, the idea of batting Dobbs cleanup is idiotic. Dobbs is a terrible hitter at the plate and does command the respect of the pitcher. Personally, I believe the Marlins need to be batting Ruggiano behind Stanton.

Here is a look at the Mets starting lineup tonight:

New York Mets Projected Lineup against Sanabia

Prediction: The Miami Marlins win their first ball game of the season by the final score of 4-1. Sanabia has a strong outing for the Fish and Stanton hits his first two home runs of the season.

Please make your predictions and feel free to discuss the game in the comment section.