Marlins Jose Urena Hopes to Continue Win Streak Against the Mets

By David Levin | Sep 27, 2018

ST. LOUIS, MO - JUNE 5: Jose Urena #62 of the Miami Marlins delivers a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals in the first inning at Busch Stadium on JUNE 5, 2018 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /

The Miami Marlins send Jose Urena out to the mound for the final time this season as he tries to continue his personal hot streak versus the New York Mets on Friday.

Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Urena has been through the ebb and flow of a Major League Baseball season. The “ace” of the pitching staff was a paltry 3-12 at one point during the first half of the season, in the media for purposely throwing at Atlanta rookie Ronald Acuna, and part of a pitching rotation that was hemorrhaging losses.

The second half of 2018 has been one of redemption. After a 14-win season in 2017, Urena has found his groove the past month and is seeking his ninth win, which would mean he has six consecutive victories without a defeat.

If there is a silver lining in this season of disappointment in Miami (62-96), it might be Urena’s continued growth as a pitcher and baseball player. That growth will be tested against the New York Mets at Citi Field on Friday night.

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The Mets will counter with Corey Oswalt. This will also be his final start of the 2018 season.

It is expected to be his last start of the 2018 season. It is the last opportunity for him to make an impression on the organization this offseason.

The last two weeks have not been the best for Urena, however, he has pitched through discomfort from cramping in his pitching hand and muscle tightness that has been a concern for the coaching staff. The team will shut their veteran down after Friday night.

The Marlins hope Urena will give this team some momentum for the final time. The team was swept by the Washington Nationals. The final game, a 9-3 loss, was once again a lesson in how Wei-Yin Chen cannot figure out how to win on the road. That coupled with Max Scherzer striking out his 300th batter the night before and fans can see how this final series of the season is important to “build” on.

If anything, a win or another solid outing gives Urena more to add to his resume as he heads to salary arbitration this offseason.

Over his last six starts, he has posted a 1.85 ERA and has proven to be a solid road pitcher with a 5-3 record. Unlike Chen’s love of home cooking, Urena is 3-9 at Marlins Park. Urena has a 6-3 record overall since the All-Star break.

After Urena’s start on Friday, Miami sends rookies Trevor Richards and Sandy Alcantara to the mound to close out the season. It was announced the makeup game with the Pittsburgh Pirates for Oct. 1 has been canceled since both teams are now officially out of the National League playoff race.

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