MMO Game Thread: Marlins vs Mets, 7:10 PM (SNY)

After taking the first game of the series in dramatic style, the Mets look to continue their winning ways in the middle game against the Miami Marlins tonight at Citi Field. Jenrry Mejia (3-0, 1.99 ERA) opposes right-hander Kevin Slowey (0-0, 4.15) in a 7:10 PM start.

Mejia heads into Saturday on a roll. The 24-year-old is 3-0 with a 1.99 ERA, striking out 25 in 22 2/3 innings. In his last outing, he earned a win over St. Louis, tossing 6.2 scoreless innings, allowing four hits and fanning seven.

Mejia extended his scoreless streak to a career-best 13.2 innings. He is holding opponents to a .193 batting average, which is good for 12th in the majors and seventh in the National League among pitchers with at least 22.0 innings pitched.

Over the last 11 games, Mets starters have posted a 1.81 ERA (14 earned runs/69.2 innings). They have a quality start in 10 of those 11 games and six wins. The starters have compiled 16 quality starts this year, the fourth-most in the majors.

Starting Lineup

Eric Young, Jr.- LF
Curtis Granderson – CF
David Wright – 3B
Daniel Murphy – 2B
Bobby Abreu – RF
Lucas Duda – 1B
Travis d’Arnaud – C
Omar Quintanilla – SS
Jenrry Mejia – RHP

Chris Young is not in the starting lineup Saturday due to an illness. Granderson is starting in center field for the first time this season, and Bobby Abreu started in right field. Granderson last started in center field last season with the Yankees.

Game Preview

The 2014 Mets figured out another way to get it done last night and beat the Marlins in the bottom of the ninth with Curtis Granderson having the walk-off RBI for the second time in a week. The game last night followed the majority of the Mets season, great starting pitching, not a lot of hitting and squeaking by at the end. Wins are wins and the Mets are now three games above .500 and are in great position to take the series with at least one more win in the next two games. Tonight Jenrry Mejia gets the start as he goes up against Kevin Slowey.

Mejia is 3-0 over 4 starts this season with a 1.99 ERA over 22.2 innings, 14 BB and 25 strikeouts. He is coming off back to back shutout performances where he has pitched a total of 11.2 innings, 6 hits, 5 walks and 10 strikeouts. He made one start against the Marlins last year allowing 3 ER over 6 innings, walking one and striking out 4. The Marlins have the following numbers against Jenrry:

G Jones 0-3
Solano 1-3
Stanton 0-1, BB
Yelich 2-3, 2B
Alvarez 2-2 (Last Night’s SP)
Baker 0-1
Dobbs 0-1

Kevin Slowey has pitched in 5 games and one start this season with a 4.15 ERA over 17.1 innings, 4 BB, and 10 K. His last outing was his first start of the year. Against the Mariners on the 20th he pitched 5.0 innings, allowing 3 hits and 2 earned runs. Last season he was 3-6 for the Marlins with a 4.11 ERA over 20 games and 14 starts. Against the Mets last year he was 1-0 with a 3.26 ERA over 3 games and 2 starts over 19.1 innings. The Mets have the following numbers against Kevin: