Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

On Tuesday, Sept. 6, the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves were tied at the top of the NL East. With the Mets suffering three straight losses, it looked as if it would only be a matter of time before the team would fall to second place in the division. But a doubleheader sweep of the Pirates on the following day, thanks to some incredible pitching from Chris Bassitt and Jacob deGrom, has now given the Mets a half game lead over the Braves heading into this weekend.

With the Braves beginning a road trip in Seattle, this may be one of their final opportunities to create a gap over the final three and a half weeks of the season.

The Miami Marlins have been quite disappointing since the All-Star break, owning a 13-32 record in the second half. Most of their problems have come from the lineup, as the team is averaging just 3.54 runs per game, which ranks 27th in all of baseball. Injuries have also played a part in their struggles, as the Marlins are currently without All-Star second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Jorge Soler. 

Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Friday, September 9, 2022: LHP David Peterson (7-3, 3.32 ERA) vs. RHP Edward Cabrera (4-2, 2.39 ERA)

With Max Scherzer recently being put on the injured list with a left side injury, David Peterson will be a part of the Mets staff for at least the next turn or two in the rotation. The left-hander starter continues to have an undefined role on the major league roster, yet can perform when put in any given spot by manager Buck Showalter. Peterson has been excellent on the road in 2022, pitching to a 2-2 record with a 2.83 ERA in 47 2/3 innings.

The 27-year-old is coming from a start in which he dealt with a lot of traffic on the bases, giving up three runs on eight hits while striking out six in 5 1/3 innings against the Washington Nationals last Friday.

Edward Cabrera once considered the second best prospect in the Marlins system according to MLB Pipeline, has looked like a different pitcher in 2022. The 24-year-old did not appear to be ready to perform at the MLB level last season, pitching to a 5.81 ERA in 26 1/3 innings. Cabrera would not make his season debut until June 1 against the Colorado Rockies, as the Marlins wanted to stay patient with the young pitcher this season. But since getting called up from Triple-A Jacksonville, his numbers show he can be an anchor in the rotation when healthy.

The right-hander has given up one run or less in seven of his nine outings this season. Cabrera was quite effective in his last start, allowing one run to score on four hits while striking out seven in five innings against the Atlanta Braves last Saturday.

Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Saturday, September 10, 2022: RHP Carlos Carrasco (13-6, 3.91 ERA) vs. RHP Pablo López (8-9, 3.66 ERA)

Carlos Carrasco will be making his second start since coming off the injured list following an oblique strain he suffered more than three weeks ago. The right-hander was far from his best last time out, giving up five runs (one of which was earned) on six hits in 2 2/3 innings against the Washington Nationals on Sunday. Carrasco will look to give the Mets more length on Saturday, as he was only able to throw 54 pitches in his last outing.

The 35-year-old is making his 11th road start of the season, going 5-4 with a 4.76 ERA in the previous ten. Carrasco has great numbers against the Marlins this season, as he owns a 2-0 record with a 2.29 ERA over 19 2/3 innings.

Pablo López was nearly a New York Yankee at this year’s trade deadline, but a deal never materialized. The 26-year-old has stayed healthy throughout the year, but has yet to build upon his numbers in 2021. López has been better on the road versus at home this season, certainly something the Mets will look to take advantage of.

The right-hander is 3-4 with a 4.24 ERA in 70 innings at home, and he is 5-5 with a 3.15 ERA in 80 innings on the road in 2022. López had his last start interrupted by a rain delay, surrendering two runs on five hits in just four innings against the Atlanta Braves on Sunday.

David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

Sunday, September 11, 2022: RHP Taijuan Walker (10-4, 3.60 ERA) vs. (LHP Jesús Luzardo (3-6, 3.36)

Taijuan Walker is in the midst of a difficult run of individual performances. Much like last year, the 30-year-old looks to be hitting a wall post-All-Star break after such a strong first half. Walker is 3-2 with a 6.25 ERA across eight starts in the second half. In comparison, the right-hander was 7-2 with a 2.55 ERA in 16 starts during the first half. <

The 2021 All-Star will be looking to bounce back on Sunday after a rough outing against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday when he allowed four runs to score on six hits in five innings of work. Walker has performed well against the Marlins this season, pitching to a 3-0 record with a 2.49 ERA in 25 1/3 innings.

Jesús Luzardo was acquired by the Marlins as part of the deal that sent outfielder Starling Marte to the Oakland Athletics at the trade deadline last season. The 24-year-old would get the opportunity to play at home after an up-and-down start to his career on the west coast. Luzardo nearly missed three months of action with a left forearm strain that put him on the 60-day IL in early May of 2022. Since making his return to the mound on August 1 against the Cincinnati Reds, the young left-hander is performing at a high level while pitching deep into games.

Luzardo has thrown at least six innings in five of his last seven appearances, with his last start being one of his best. He allowed two runs to score on four hits while striking out nine in seven innings against the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday.