Miami Marlins, Jeff Brigham Set To Face New York Mets

MIAMI, FL - SEPTEMBER 02: Juan Nieves #47 of the Miami Marlins talks with Jeff Brigham #43 and Chad Wallach #17 on the mound in the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Marlins Park on September 2, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - SEPTEMBER 02: Juan Nieves #47 of the Miami Marlins talks with Jeff Brigham #43 and Chad Wallach #17 on the mound in the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Marlins Park on September 2, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

The Miami Marlins hope pitcher Jeff Brigham has a better outing in his second time on the mound than he did his first when he faces the New York Mets on Monday.

The Miami Marlins hope the second time is the charm for rookie pitcher Jeff Brigham. After a rocky start (and I am being generous) in his Major League debut, he gets the ball in the first game of the series against the New York Mets at Citi Field.

The Marlins are trying to avoid a 100-loss season while the Mets are trying to find respectability. Both teams may be eliminated from the National League playoff race, but they can still affect the postseason with 20 games remaining.

Brigham, who was called up from Triple-A New Orleans with the roster expansion on Sept. 1 had an outing he would just as soon forget. He gave up three runs in three innings. The Marlins are still high on the 26-year-old right-hander.

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With the status of veteran Dan Straily unknown, manager Don Mattingly once again may have to shuffle his rotation, which means Brigham could see more time on the mound. Mattingly has been using a six-man rotation.

The Miami Herald and other websites have reported that due to the oblique strain Straily suffered, he may not pitch again this season and could have possibly thrown his last pitch in a Marlins uniform.

This means the audition for a spot in Miami’s rotation becomes more important for Brigham and others.

Brigham’s start won’t be easy as the Mets send Jacob deGrom to the mound to face the Marlins. This is the fourth time deGrom has seen the Marlins this season but has yet to secure a victory. He has been a dominant pitcher this season. Despite just an 8-8 record, he has a 1.68 ERA and 230 strikeouts.

The Marlins come to New York after having their final game of a three-game series with the Pittsburgh Pirates postponed due to weather.

Per Adam Berry of MLB.com, “The Pirates and Marlins have rescheduled Sunday’s game for Oct. 1, one day after what would have been the final day of the regular season, at a time to be determined.”

It’s a game that still means something to the Pirates, even if the Marlins have nothing to play for but pride.

“The Marlins have been eliminated from the postseason race, but the Pirates have a Wild Card elimination number of 13, as they stand 7 1/2 games behind the Cardinals,” he added. “It is not clear if the Oct. 1 game will be canceled if Pittsburgh is mathematically eliminated from the postseason race before then.”